2 Houses In Soppeng, South Sulawesi, Swept Away By The Flood

PHOTO VIA BETWEEN

MAKASSAR - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Soppeng Regency, South Sulawesi, reported that two houses in Ompo Village, Lalabata Sub-district, were swept away by heavy currents of the river during a flash flood.

"The semi-permanent house was carried by the current of the Ompo River and then hit the bridge, so it was destroyed. Thank God, all the occupants of the house have been evacuated and are in a safe place," said Head of BPBD Soppeng Sahrani Razak when confirmed by reporters in Makassar, quoted by Antara, Monday, December 6.

He said the house was swept away by the water when the river overflowed Monday morning, carried by the current and hit the bridge connecting the sub-districts. The material of the house was carried by a strong current of water.

River water in the area began to rise in the early hours of Monday due to heavy rain since Sunday, December 5 until today.

BPBD Soppeng has sent a Rapid Response Team (TRC) to evacuate local residents who live on the banks of the river because the water discharge continues to rise to the surface until it overflows into residential areas.

In addition to evacuating residents, the team also recorded the number of families affected by the disaster to be reported immediately for further handling.

Semi-permanent houses located on the banks of the Paddangeng and Lawo rivers, Donri-donri and Sungai Belo sub-districts, Ganra sub-districts, and Ompo, Lalabata sub-districts, must be demolished to prevent more victims.

"We are dismantling it to anticipate further flooding and casualties. This step is to minimize the impact of the disaster that previously swept away two houses. Currently, the team is still collecting data and evacuating residents in a safe place," he said.

BMKG has predicted that extreme weather in the form of heavy rain accompanied by strong winds will continue until Wednesday, December 7. BBMKG Region IV Makassar has also issued an early warning of potential extreme weather in South Sulawesi from 5-7 December 2021.

Rain with moderate to heavy intensity accompanied by strong winds has the potential to occur in western South Sulawesi, including Pinrang, Parepare, Barru, Pangkep, Maros, Gowa, Makassar, and Takalar.

In addition, the central part of South Sulawesi, namely Soppeng and Sidrap, as well as the northern part of South Sulawesi, namely Enrekang, North Luwu Luwu, East Luwu, North Toraja, and Tana Toraja.