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)