At least 5 people died in floods and landslides in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province.
Several days of heavy rain that began on 15 December triggered floods and landslides in the city of Manado and surrounding villages. Local authorities have distributed relief supplies to families displaced by the flooding.
Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB) reported flooding in the villages or districts of Tuminting, Sario, Taas, Banjer, Tumumpa, Paal 2, Dendengan Luar, Ternate Tanjung, Ternate Baru and Ketang Baru. Landslides occurred in Pakowa, Dendengan Dalam, Bumi Nyiur, Kampung Islam and Paal 4.
Two of the victims died in a landslide in Paal 4 on Thursday, 15 December 2016. Three other victims all died in separate incidents of flooding. A woman drowned after she fell into the Tondano River in Kombos Timur Manado and a young child was swept away by the overflowing Bailang River in Tuminting. The third victim was found drowned at the edge of Megamas beach. Circumstances of his or her death are as yet unknown.
BNPD say that the recent rapid expansion of the city has meant than many people now live close to rivers or in the hilly areas around Manado known to be vulnerable to landslides in times of heavy rain.
