President donates Rp 300m to N. Sulawesi flood victims

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid donated on Saturday Rp 300 million (US$31,578) to flood victims in the North Sulawesi capital of Manado.

Speaking during a one-day visit to the flood-hit areas in the province, Abdurrahman called on the people not to blame each other for the disaster.

He also called on the residents and local government to work hand in hand in repairing public facilities in the area.

North Sulawesi Governor A.J. Sondakh was quoted by Antara as stating in his report to the President that at least 20 people were killed and four missing in the flood.

Besides Manado, flood also last week hit the North Sulawesi areas of Bitung, Minahasa, Bolaang Mongondow and Gorontalo, Sondakh said.

He added that the local government had estimated the financial losses at some Rp 280 billion.

Sondakh said the worst hit was Manado with some 40 percent of its area inundated.

North Sulawesi has been the latest area to be hit by flood due to the incessant rain which last week wracked much of Sumatra.

In Medan, North Sumatra Dairi regent Master P. Tumanggor on Sunday said that despite a pause in the rainfall, residents should remain alert to more flash flood and landslides as the rainfall was predicted to peak in early January.

"Rain with strong winds is predicted to come early next month. We're worried that it will cause more landslides," Master said after receiving food aid from the Medan Press Club (MPC) for flood and landslide victims.

North Sumatra Governor T. Rizal Nurdin said the natural disaster was extraordinary because it hit 312 places at the same time. (hdn/byg)