9 People Killed Due to Flash Floods in Sitaro Islands

JAKARTA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported nine people died due to flash floods that occurred in Sitaro Islands Regency, North Sulawesi (Sulut).

Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, said that flash floods in the Sitaro Islands occurred at around 02.30 Wita, with three affected sub-districts, namely East Siau, South East Siau, and West Siau.

"The incident occurred after heavy rain hit the area for quite some time. In the visuals received by BNPB, rock and mud materials filled the streets and spilled into residents' buildings," he said, quoted by ANTARA, Monday, January 5.

"The provisional data collected by the BPBD Sitaro Regency rapid response team, he said, recorded the details of the victims, including nine people died, five people were in search, 17 people were injured, and 102 people were displaced in the GMIST Bethbara building.

Five houses were reported missing or washed away. Other material losses are still being recorded.

Abdul Muhari explained that based on reports from the field team, on Monday afternoon the flood had receded. However, the electricity and telecommunications networks in the affected areas were cut off.

Until now, the joint search and rescue (SAR) is still carrying out evacuation and search for victims who are reported missing.

The obstacle faced in the field for resource mobilization is the adjustment of the schedule for crossing the ship to the Sitaro Islands Regency.