Thousands of homes flooded, 1 killed in Sulawesi, Indonesia

Thousands of homes flooded, 1 killed in Sulawesi, Indonesia

2011-07-01 06:05:09 GMT+7 (ICT)

GORONTALO, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- Thousands have been affected and at least one child has died during the heavy flooding in Indonesia's island of Sulawesi, officials said Thursday.

Four of the seven districts in Boalemo, Gorontalo Province, which is located in the northern area of Sulawesi, have been dealing with severe flooding since Tuesday, and on Wednesday, a boy was killed after being swept away by the flooding waters.

Boalemo's Vice Regent, La Ode Haimudin, said that the flooding waters have reached an average height of at least 0.5 meters to 2 meters (1.6 to 6.6 feet) after the Hungayonaa River began overflowing since the heavy rainfall that began affecting the province in early June.

Among the affected districts are Tilamuta, Paguyaman, Botumoito, and Paguyaman Coast, marking the region's worst flooding in 57 years, Haimudin assured. In addition, the Vice Regent said the flooding has been partly caused by the agricultural activities and deforestation of the area.

Several office buildings in Boalemo were also submerged in water, including the Office of Regents, which is located in the Tilamuta's town square.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-07-01