11 people killed in Mamasa flash flood - Jakarta Post

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Eleven people are dead and five others are reported missing after being swept away in a flash flood and landslide which hit Kabanniran hamlet, Sumarorong district, Mamasa regency, West Sulawesi, on Thursday.

Mamasa Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Made Sunarta confirmed on Friday that a joint search and rescue (SAR) team was still searching for the five people who were reported as missing, but to no avail as of Friday afternoon.

"As it got dark, we suspended the search because we are concerned about the safety of the SAR team, consisting of police, Indonesian military, local officials and residents. But, tomorrow morning [Saturday], we will resume the search," said Sunarta.

He added that the search for the missing persons was not easy because the location was in a mountainous region and that it was hard to bring up heavy equipment due to the huge volume of debris from the flood and landslide, which included mud mixed with boulders and fallen trees.

Based on information gathered, the flash flood and landslide took place on Thursday at around 2 p.m. local time after the Kabanniran River, which runs through the hamlet, burst its banks.

The 10-meter wide river had overflowed following heavy rains in the area over the past several days.

Local residents had not expected the relatively small river to burst its banks and cause such damage. A number of residents had even gathered on the river banks to watch the water levels rise.

Without warning, the river suddenly overflowed. Residents who were standing along the river banks were then swept away by the swift river currents.

Seven homes were also severely damaged, two destroyed completely, by the landslide.

Several cars were also swept away by the mudflow, one of which is still missing.

The disaster, said Sunarta, had also cut the Tabone-Nosu highway and obstructed access to the disaster location.

The local administration has provided relief aid and other necessities to survivors who have been evacuated to safer areas.