Death toll from Indonesian floods, landslides climbs to 59

Published January 26, 2019
Rescue workers push an inflatable boat as they evacuate residents following floods in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia.—Reuters
Rescue workers push an inflatable boat as they evacuate residents following floods in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia.—Reuters

JAKARTA: The number of people killed after days of torrential rain triggered flash floods and landslides on Indonesia’s Sulawesi island has climbed to 59 with 25 others missing, a disaster official said on Friday.

Rescuers recovered more bodies as floodwaters and rainfall subsided in several areas, said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman. He said 45 people died in floods and 14 others in landslides.

Operators at the overwhelmed Bili Bili rock-fill embankment dam were forced to release water late Tuesday, which contributed to flooding but avoided a worse disaster.

Houses of more than 6,500 residents in thirteen districts and cities in the province including capital Makassar have been affected by flooding, forcing more than 3,000 people to flee.

Rescuers are still searching for 25 people, while 47 others have been hospitalised.

Seasonal downpours cause frequent landslides and flash floods in Indonesia, a chain of 17,000 islands where millions live in mountainous areas or near fertile flood plains.

A landslide in Sukabumi on the country’s most populous island of Java earlier this month killed 32 people.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2019

Opinion

Editorial

China security ties
Updated 14 Nov, 2024

China security ties

If China's security concerns aren't addressed satisfactorily, it may affect bilateral ties. CT cooperation should be pursued instead of having foreign forces here.
Steep price
14 Nov, 2024

Steep price

THE Hindu Kush-Himalayan region is in big trouble. A new study unveiled at the ongoing COP29 reveals that if high...
A high-cost plan
14 Nov, 2024

A high-cost plan

THE government has approved an expensive plan for FBR in the hope of tackling its deep-seated inefficiencies. The...
United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

Unusual IMF visit shows the lender will closely watch implementation of programme goals to prevent it from derailing.
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome.