Six people were killed and 10 are missing after floods hit Makassar City and six other districts in South Sulawesi on Tuesday
ix people were killed and 10 are missing after floods hit Makassar City and six other districts in South Sulawesi on Tuesday.
The previous day, dozens of houses and several bridges were also destroyed.
The six victims were from Gowa district, which was inundated after the Jenebarang River overflowed.
Gowa Regent Adnan Purichta Ichsan said some of the victims had been electrocuted while others were buried by landslides.
“We are continuing to evacuate and assist residents affected by the flood,” he said as quoted by Antara.
The regent added that the flood had displaced at least 2,121 people as of Wednesday morning.
Aside from Gowa and Makassar City, floods have also hit Takalar, Jeneponto, Maros, Pangkep and Barru regencies.
Jihadul Arifin, a resident of the Antang housing complex in Makassar City, said he did not have time to secure his belongings because the flood happened quickly and inundated the area.
He said it had been caused by an overflow of water after the Bili-Bili Dam’s sluice gate was opened.
Jihadul added that the flood was not like the previous year’s floods because it came suddenly, hitting the backs of residential houses and reaching the height of some roofs.
“All the residents are being evacuated to the mosque. We need clothes, blankets and public kitchens,” he said.
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