Two more die in flooding

Two more die in flooding

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): Two more people were killed on
Saturday and the body of another person reported missing was
found, bringing the death toll in the flooding which has hit
Makassar since Thursday to five.

The latest two fatalities, residents of Tanjung Alang, were
swept away by the waters of Jembatan Merah River. The victims
have not yet been identified.

Meanwhile, the body of Rifal, alias Cunding, who was reported
missing on Friday, was found by a rescue team in the Pannampu
waterway.

One of two people killed in the flooding on Friday was
identified as Rosminini, while the other victim remains
unidentified.

The water which reached two meters in height on Friday has
begun to recede in the flood-hit areas of Makassar. However,
residents were still seeking refuge on higher ground and trying
to save their belongings on Saturday.

Makassar Mayor Amiruddin Maula earlier said that tens of
thousands of people had to be rescued when their homes were
inundated by the flood water.

Heavy rain has been blamed for the worst flooding in
Makassar's history.

The head of the local meteorological and geophysics agency,
Edi Waluyo, said rainfall this year averaged 391 millimeters a
day, compared to 220 millimeters in 1999. (27/sur)