Flash flood cuts off main road on Flores

Yemris Fointuna, The Jakarta Post, Kupang

A key highway connecting two regency capitals, Maumere and Larantuka on the island of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara, has been cut off since Friday morning as the Namon Kewa bridge collapsed after being overwhelmed by floodwaters.

The floodwaters have also inundated dozens of homes in Kewapante district in Sikka regency, said Henyo Kerong, the deputy secretary of the Sikka administration.

"Four houses were severely damaged," said Henyo.

Due to fears of a spread of post-flood disease, he said the government had sent health officials and government workers to help residents clean up.

Sikka Regent Alexander Longginus said they had also opened a public kitchen for those whose houses had been damaged by the flooding.

To address the vehicular traffic problem, he said the government would do a feasibility study on opening up an alternative route following the collapse of the Namon Kewa bridge.

Separately in Southeast Aceh regency, dozens of people listed as missing after a flash flood on Tuesday had not been located as of Saturday evening.

The search efforts were still underway, resident Jamaludin said, quoted as saying by Antara.

The flash flood has claimed at least 22 lives and left nearly 2,000 others homeless.

The homeless are now staying temporarily in government buildings or tents erected in Kutacane city, the capital of Southeast Aceh regency. The flash floods on Tuesday were the worst in over a decade.

As of Saturday, clouds were still hanging ominously over the regency and heavy rain continues to fall in spots, sparking fear among the people that another deadly flash flood would hit.