Flashfloods, Landslides in W. Indonesia Leave 23 Dead, 15 Missing

Jakarta — The death toll of flashfloods and landslides in Indonesia’s West Java province rose to 23, with 15 people missing and 32 others injured, a local disaster agency official said on Wednesday.

A total of 20 bodies were discovered in Garut district after the flashfloods hit the area at about 1:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, said Ridwan Sunaria, secretary at the local disaster management agency.

“Search for the 15 missing people is underway now in the district,” he told Xinhua via phone from the province.

Heavy downpours caused waters in two rivers to overflow the rivers’ banks, resulting in flashfloods by up to two meters high, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman of national disaster management agency, told Xinhua via phone.

In Sumedang district, three people were killed and another was rescued alive after landslides hit the district at 10:00 p.m. Jakarta time Tuesday, Sunaria added.

About 1,100 people were forced to leave their houses and take shelter at government office buildings and military stations, Sutopo said.

Soldiers, police and those from the local disaster agency, the search and rescue office and the Red Cross, have been taking part in search and rescue operations, and emergency relief efforts, he added.

Scores of buildings and houses were damaged and the assessment on the precise figure is being carried out, the spokesman added.

Indonesia is frequently hit by floods and landslides during heavy rains. (PNA/Xinhua) CVL/EDS