Diarrhea outbreak kills 23

MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: Diarrhea-related deaths here have reached 23, reports said Saturday.

Pos Kupang reported on Saturday that 55 people were still being treated in community health centers, with 15 of them children.

Heavy rain caused flooding in three villages and the contamination of the water supply. Activist Wires Herewila said his organization was working with residents to help victims. He added that residents were also required to stop felling trees in surrounding forests, an activity believed to exacerbate flooding. (yac)