11 dead, 5 missing after flash floods hit eastern Indonesia

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) – Eleven people were killed and five others remain missing after flash floods hit the eastern Indonesian province of North Sulawesi on early Monday, local authorities said.

The floods took place in East Siau of Sitaro Islands Regency at around 2.30 am (1830GMT Sunday), according to the country’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).

Officials said residents from affected neighborhoods were temporarily evacuated to safer locations. At least 444 people, have been displaced.

The disaster also damaged at least five dwellings and cut off road access between East Siau and South East Siau sub-districts.

Search and rescue operations were hindered due to adverse weather conditions, with operations expected to resume Tuesday.

Indonesia frequently experiences flash floods and landslides during the rainy season.

Separately, recent floods in Indonesia’s Sumatra island have killed at least 1,177 people, while 147 others remain missing, according to data from BNPB.