BPBD: 11 households affected by floods in Sitaro remain in evacuation shelters

Manado—The Disaster Management Agency of the Sitaro Islands, North Sulawesi (BPBD Kepulauan Sitaro) said that 11 households affected by flash floods on Siau Island remain at evacuation shelters. “So some are still staying in the museum and the Advent Church,” said Sonny Belseran, Head of the Emergency Section of BPBD Kepulauan Sitaro, in Manado on Thursday. He noted that eight households (26 people) are staying at the museum; three households (10 people) are at the Advent Church. “Today or tomorrow they will be relocated to the Mabura Building. It has rooms, so the evacuees feel safe and comfortable,” Sonny said. He explained that the reason residents have continued to shelter in the two evacuation sites since the floods on 5 January 2026 is that their houses were damaged or destroyed when the disaster occurred. Another reason, he said, is that people are still afraid to return home because heavy rainfall persists in the area. “The government continues to address the evacuees’ basic needs until there is permanent housing,” he added. The flash floods, which occurred in the early hours of 5 January 2026 hit settlements across Siau Barat Selatan District, Siau Barat District, Siau Timur District and Siau Timur Selatan District. In Siau Barat Selatan District (Kampung/Kelurahan Batusenggo, Laghaeng and Makoa), affected families total 563 people (197 households). Next, in Siau Barat District including Paniki, Peling, Bumbiha and Paseng, affected families total 494 people (160 households). In Siau Timur District, Bahu village, affected families total 309 people (111 households), while in Siau Timur Selatan District, Bandil village, 11 people (four households). In the disaster SAR operation in Kepulauan Sitaro Regency, 76 people survived, 17 died, and two are missing.