Floods inundate Gorontalo, N. Sulawesi, and East Java

JAKARTA (JP): Continuous torrential rains led to a massive flood which inundated thousands of houses in Gorontalo, some 450 kilometers east of Manado the capital of North Sulawesi on Sunday, an official said.

"The rain kept on falling all Saturday and on Sunday the water continued to rise about two centimeters every half hour in several subdistricts in Gorontalo," Manado's chief of Search and Rescue Agency (SAR) Soleman M. Kakoe told The Jakarta Post by telephone.

Among the areas worst hit by floods were the subdistricts of Biawu, Biawao, Siendeng, Ipilo and Tenilo, he said.

"In these areas the water level reached two meters high," he said.

Besides its poor drainage system, Gorontalo is also close to two major rivers, Bone and Bolango, and Limboto lake.

"Every time there is a high tide followed by rain the city will be submerged," Soleman said.

Most residents fled to higher ground while some others opted to stay in their homes if the water in their area was not too high.

"I myself have a home in Gorontalo and I was hoping that the water will subside soon ... but it's quite impossible as the heavy downpour keeps continuing," he added.

Previous reports also stated that two people went missing in the flood.

Gorontalo was not the only place hit by floods over the weekend.

In Jember, East Java, heavy rains on Saturday through Sunday caused an overflow of the Manyang river which led to flooding in several villages in several districts.

Jenggawah, Temporejo and Ambulu districts were the worst hit by the flood.

"We figure that the losses could reach hundreds of millions of rupiah," Jauhari, a village chief in Cangkring of Jenggawah area said as quoted by Antara.

As of Sunday afternoon people were still busy moving their belongings to higher ground, including household possessions and cattle.

"We hope the rains ease," Jauhari said.

Thousands of villagers sought refuge at nearby local public buildings which were not flooded. (edt)