Makassar Floods Continue to Rise After Residents Return from Tarawih Prayers

Makassar Floods Continue to Rise After Residents Return from Tarawih Prayers

Flooding has inundated residential areas in the Manggala district of Makassar City, South Sulawesi, after heavy rain hit the area on Tuesday (24 February) evening.

The water level is reported to be continuously rising, reaching almost one metre in several locations.

“Last night, at around 9:00 pm, the water started to rise and has continued to rise until now, with an increase of approximately 20 centimetres. Earlier, it was around thigh-level, but now it’s up to waist-level,” said Ihsan when interviewed at the scene on Wednesday (25 February).

Ihsan estimates that the current water level is approaching one metre, after heavy rain suddenly fell after residents had performed their Tarawih prayers.

“As far as I know, when the Tarawih prayers finished, the roads were still dry as I walked back from the mosque to my house. But suddenly, there was a heavy downpour, and it wasn’t just heavy, the water also rose quickly. Suddenly, inside the house, the water level was already around 10 to 20 centimetres,” he explained.

According to Ihsan, a number of residents affected by the floods have evacuated to safer places. Meanwhile, other residents are on alert, securing their valuables.

“Thankfully, some residents have evacuated, especially those in the area below. It can be said that almost all of them have evacuated. There are also residents who are preparing their belongings in case the water rises again, and they will evacuate immediately,” he concluded.

According to records from the Makassar Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the number of residents affected by the floods in the Manggala district is 19 families, or 63 people, who are currently taking refuge in two mosques near the flooded area.

Previously, the Makassar BPBD stated that 545 people had been displaced due to the floods that hit the Manggala and Biringkanaya districts of Makassar, South Sulawesi, after heavy rain.

“Yes, there are 545 people, or 169 families, who have been displaced due to the floods,” said the Head of the Makassar BPBD, Muhammad Fadli, on Wednesday (24 February).

The rain that has been falling in Makassar City since Tuesday (24 February) has caused flooding in areas that are prone to flooding during the rainy season.

(mir/gil) [Image: CNN Video]