Flood evacuees seek medical help

UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: Some of the several thousand evacuees taking shelter following a storm here have started to seek medical help at local hospitals, complaining of respiratory difficulties and diarrhea.

Staff of the Asia Medical Doctor Association estimate hundreds have been afflicted by outbreaks of disease, with many admitted to Wahidin Sudirohusodo General Hospital.

At Losari beach, hundreds of visitors dining at stalls ran in panic as tents and carts were tossed away by the wind.

An official at the administration's natural disaster coordination center said about 5,000 people were forced to stay at relatives' homes. (27/01)