Kendari hit by severe flood

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Thousands of homes in the Kendari area were flooded yesterday in up to 50 centimeters of water following incessant rain which began Wednesday afternoon.

Antara quoted residents as saying that they were surprised by the flood's severity. They pointed out that flood water had never reached such high levels.

Residents were apparently convinced that the newly constructed bypass road along the Kendari coastline had hampered the flow of water out to sea.

"The drainage system along the road should be increased so water flowing from inland to the bay can move quickly," said H. Rahman, a resident of the Andonuhu area who's house is still inundated with 40 centimeters of water.