At least 23 killed by flash flood in Indonesia’s easternmost province
At least 23 people were killed and two are still missing after flash floods swept Flores Island in Indonesia's easternmost province on April 4 morning.
Hanoi (VNA) – At least 23 people were killed andtwo are still missing after flash floods swept Flores Island in Indonesia'seasternmost province on April 4 morning.
Torrential rain unleashed flash floods in the island hoursbefore people woke up.
Mud inundated homes, while bridges and roads in the easternend of the island were destroyed, according to Indonesia’s National DisasterMitigation Agency (NDMA).
Rescuers are struggling to reach the remote and worst-hitarea in East Flores regency.
The only access there is by the sea from Adonara Island, butthe rains, as well as strong waves, have prevented any crossing, NDMA spokespersonJati said, adding that extreme weather is expected to continue in the comingweek.
Separately on the same day, major floods also killed twopeople in Bima city in the neighbouring province of West Nusa Tenggara,according to the disaster agency.
Dams in four sub-districts also overflowed, submerging nearly10,000 houses in Bima following hours of downpour, said Jati.
Fatal landslides and flash floods are common across theIndonesian archipelago during the rainy season when downpours are frequent andrelentless.
In January, flash floods damaged the Indonesian town ofSumedang in West Java, killing 40 people.
The NDMA has estimated that 125 million Indonesians – nearlyhalf of the country's population – live in areas at risk of landslides./.
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Illustrative photo. (Source: VNA)
