Floods surprise local villagers

BULUKUMBA, South Sulawesi: At least 300 Limbung hamlet residents of Benjala village in Bulukumba were forced to flee to higher ground following an unexpected flood caused by a sudden emergence of springs from the ground.

No fatalities were reported.

At least three major springs and hundreds of small ones suddenly burst forth on Friday and quickly created a five-hectare lake some 15 meters deep, inundating at least 25 houses and hundreds of hectares of cashew fields.

"We're afraid the water will run higher and drown our village," Baharuddin, one of the residents, said.

Land transportation was cut off due to the incident.

"We hope for the administration's help to widen the river and divert the water flow to save our village," Alimuddin, another resident, said. (27/edt)