Flash floods in Papua, Indonesia kill at least 10

Flash floods in Papua, Indonesia kill at least 10

2010-10-04 20:55:12 GMT+7 (ICT)

JAYAPURA, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- At least 10 people have died in the Indonesian region of Papua after heavy rainfall since Sunday night spawned flash floods in the area on Monday morning, local media reported.

Hundreds of houses were flooded as heavy rainfall flushed the West Papua capital of Wasior, located in the Wondama Bay, carrying logs and rocks from the mountainous areas.

Residents are evacuating the region as rescue efforts continue with national military forces and police officials already working in the affected areas.

However, the death toll is feared to rise as the evacuation itself has been a challenge. "There are still some districts that have not been able to evacuate since the connecting roads from the capital have been cut off due to the flash floods," First Lieutenant Danramil Aronggear said, who predicted that the evacuation process will be delayed until Tuesday morning.

Relief efforts are trying to deliver heavy equipment to the area, but piles of stone, wood, and soil covering the roads are interrupting the rescue teams.

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