14 Killed in North Sulawesi Landslides, Floods

Manado, N Sulawesi - Landslides and floods triggered by incessant rains killed at least 14 people in North Sulawesi province on Sunday, according to the provincial disaster mitigation board. Six of the dead victims were found in Minahasa district and eight in Manado municipality, the board's head, Hoyke Makarawung, said. "In Minahasa, landslides affected Citraland Pineleng housing complex, and in Manado, landslides hit Tingkulu, Paal Dua Ronomut, Singkil and Kombos areas," he said. He said the disaster forced around 1,700 people to evacuate, with some of them taking shelter at churches, mosques and their relatives' houses. Several steps had been taken to mitigate the disaster by, among other things, coordinating with the district and municipal governments, he said. The board had sent some of its officers to inspect the affected areas, he added. Hoyke said the board in cooperation with the Indonesian military, police and other relevant agencies had also sent officers to help victims in the affected areas. "We also have cooperated with other agencies including the social service office in distributing relief aid including blankets, mattresses, mineral water, fast food and tents among victims," he said. He asked the people living in disaster-prone areas to be wary of the current weather. Incessant rains poured down in and around Manado from Saturday to Sunday. (*)