Death toll from Indonesia’s flash floods rises to 13

Jakarta: At least 13 people were killed, two others injured and several missing after flash floods and landslides damaged homes and infrastructure in Indonesia’s North Maluku province on Sunday, according to disaster agency officials.

Abdul Muhari, spokesman for the National Disaster Management and Reduction Agency, said several houses and roads were damaged in Ternate city due to the natural disaster.

Evacuation of affected persons is underway with the help of rapid response personnel from the agency and other parties. Muhari said in a text message that the agency is also conducting a disaster risk assessment, Xinhua news agency reported.

Fahbi Alting, head of the Disaster Management and Reduction Office of North Maluku province, told Xinhua that four heavy machines have been deployed to assist in the search and rescue operation.

“The search for the missing people is continuing,” Alting said.

He said heavy rains that began on Saturday caused flash floods and landslides in Ternate city. IANS