8 killed in Indonesia floods

Jakarta, Jan 23 (IANS) At least eight people have died, four remain missing and thousands have been displaced due to floods on Indonesia's Sulawesi island, officials said on Wednesday. Rains caused by a severe storm hit the southern part of the island overnight and had continued on Wednesday, causing floods and landslides, according to Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho. Jeneponto municipality was the worst hit as waters reached up to a height of two metres (6.6 feet), leaving five dead and three missing, Efe news reported. Three people lost their lives in Gowa municipality, while one was missing in Pangkajene. The spokesperson said that the government was still assessing casualties and damages, while emergency teams were busy with evacuation in affected areas. Floods and landslides hit Indonesia every year during the rainy season, which lasts from December to February.
--IANS soni/