Torrential rain in Indonesia’s Sulawesi Island led to a devastating flood and landslide, claiming the lives of 14 individuals, officials reported on Saturday.
The downpour, which began on Thursday, caused a landslide in Luwu district, South Sulawesi province, according to local rescue chief Mexianus Bekabel.
Floodwaters, reaching heights of up to 3 meters (10 feet), submerged 13 sub-districts, impacting over 1,000 homes and causing 42 houses to be swept off their foundations.
A search and rescue operation ensued, utilising rubber boats and vehicles to evacuate affected residents.
Over 100 individuals were relocated to mosques or the homes of relatives outside the affected area, as confirmed by National Disaster Management Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari.
Indonesia frequently experiences seasonal downpours, resulting in recurrent landslides and floods across its 17,000 islands, where millions reside in mountainous regions or fertile floodplains.
In April, torrential rains triggered landslides that claimed the lives of 20 people in Tana Toraja district, also located in South Sulawesi province.
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