Floods Strike Four Villages in Morowali, Central Sulawesi

Floods have struck four villages in Bungku Tengah, Morowali, Central Sulawesi, since Sunday (24 May). Morowali Regent Iksan Baharudin Abdul Rauf has instructed all regional agencies to act swiftly in handling the floods. “Swift action and inter-departmental collaboration are crucial to mitigate flood impacts and prevent further harm to the public. I checked this morning; the drains were all blocked, which is why flooding occurred,” he said in Morowali on Monday. The floods affected Mendui, Bahoruru, Bente, and Matansala villages in Bungku Tengah subdistrict after heavy rainfall on Sunday afternoon (24 May). Iksan has urged the Morowali Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) to take immediate preventive measures against potential further flooding. All relevant departments must act promptly without waiting for budget approval in urgent situations. Iksan specifically instructed the Environmental Agency (DLH) and Public Works Department (PU) to enhance collaboration in on-ground disaster response. “I have ordered the disaster division to prepare for floods. Relevant departments: this is an emergency; borrow the DLH’s excavator, PU must work together,” he said. He stressed that disaster management cannot be handled in isolation and requires inter-departmental collaboration for optimal and swift action. Iksan has called on all regional agencies to maintain strong coordination and act swiftly to anticipate further incidents. He emphasised that public safety and comfort must be the top priority for local government during flood emergencies. “Preventive measures should not wait for budget approval before execution; we must avoid causing further hardship,” he said. The Central Sulawesi Provincial Disaster Management Agency reported that heavy rain on Sunday caused flooding in residential areas and roads, with water levels reaching approximately 80 centimetres. As a result, several road sections spanning about two kilometres became inaccessible to motorcycles due to high water levels and strong flood currents. The Central Sulawesi and Morowali Regency Disaster Management Agencies have conducted assessments at affected areas and evacuated residents near riverbanks to anticipate further flooding.