One killed in Jayapura flood

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The local Search and Rescue (SAR) team, with the help of residents, found the body of a university student, said to be the only victim of last week's massive flood.

The corpse of Zakarias Sudir, a student of the Fajar Timur Catholic Theology and Philosophy College, was found behind Cendrawasih University Bawah housing complex in Padang Bulan area, Abepura district, Antara reported.

Zakarias had been reported missing after flood waters inundated parts of the provincial capital and nearby Abepura district from Saturday until Sunday morning.

On Monday, Urbanus Piran, a resident of Abepura, said Zakarias was believed to have been trapped in his shanty at the complex, where the muddy water level reached the houses' roofs.

According to Urbanus, the student was building a hut for his pigs, a project to help finance his study.

Zakarias was believed to have been drowned inside the structure while attempting to evacuate his pigs.

The dead body was taken to Dok II Emergency Hospital in Jayapura for a postmortem examination.

At least 4,700 families have been evacuated from their inundated houses by SAR teams, who have used four rubber boats to reach the flood victims.

Some 50 vehicles were reportedly engulfed by the flood, which occurred after heavy rains hit the area for four hours.

In some areas, flood waters damaged asphalt roads.

The worst hit area was Abepura, 20 kilometers from the provincial capital. (bsr/34)