58 dead as flash floods hit Indonesia’s Papua

Updated - March 17, 2019 11:27 pm IST - Sentani

This handout picture shows local residents gather at a temporary shelter in Sentani, near the provincial capital of Jayapura, as floodwaters triggered by torrential rain swarmed the area. Photo: Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana

This handout picture shows local residents gather at a temporary shelter in Sentani, near the provincial capital of Jayapura, as floodwaters triggered by torrential rain swarmed the area. Photo: Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana

Flash floods in Indonesia’s eastern Papua province have killed at least 58 people, an official said on Sunday, as rescuers battled mud, rocks and fallen trees in the hunt for survivors. The death toll was expected to rise as emergency services struggled to reach people in hard-hit areas, with more than 70 people injured and 4,150 evacuated.

The floods — triggered by torrential rain and landslips on Saturday — damaged numerous homes in the northeastern town of Sentani, said national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho.

The waters had receded but officials were still trying to evacuate people from areas obstructed by “fallen trees, rocks, mud and other material”, Mr. Nugroho added.

The government has announced a 14-day state of emergency, said Jayapura police chief Victor Dean Mackbon.

Flooding is common in Indonesia, especially during the rainy season which runs from October to April.

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