Flood Inundates Mamua, C Maluku

Ambon, Maluku - Mamua resettlement in Hila village, Leihitu Timur sub-district, Central Maluku, Maluku Province, was inundated following incessant heavy rains since Friday (July 29). The village had earlier been flooded on May 28 after a nearby river overflowed . Mamua Village Head Soleman Ibrahim said flood carrying sand and gravel from the overflowing river hit houses in his village. "We have been flooded since Saturday (July 30), but it got worse after heavy rains since last night until today (Sunday), that's why some residents have moved to higher grounds," he said. Some of them have taken refuge at a junior high school building at Mamua, while others decided to stay with their relatives, he said. According to Soleman, the current flood was worse than that in May 28. Tens of houses were damaged including four swept away by the strong current of the flood waters. "This natural disaster has seriously affected the life of Mamua residents, especially their preparations for the Ramadan fasting month," Soleman said. Secretary to the Maluku Disaster Mitigation Agency Kilfly Wakanno said a team had been sent to the flood-affected village to distribute relief aid. Meanwhile, a landslide triggered by two days of incessant rains killed four people of the same family at Bere-Bere area in Maluku province's capital of Ambon on Sunday. Kilfy Wakanno on Sunday confirmed the landslide which claimed the lives of a husband, his wife and two children. One person was seriously injured, and being treated at dr. Haulussy Hospital in Ambon.