Floods sweep away houses

PALU, Central Sulawesi: At least 30 houses in the villages of Koninis and Sumber Air were swept away when floods hit the Banggai regency last Tuesday, Antara reported.

An official at the regent's office, Harly Huma, said the floods, caused by incessant rains during the previous week, have also destroyed the irrigation system, around 300 hectares of ready-for-harvest rice fields, and the road connecting the two villages.

The floods caused an estimated Rp 500 million in financial losses, Huma said.

The regency faces the chronic problem of flooding every year. Last year, the floods that hit the regency killed dozens of people and caused massive financial losses. (swe)