"On the day the floods submerged certain areas on Tuesday, five people died, and on Wednesday, six others were found dead because of landslides," he said, adding that among the dead victims were infants identified as Ulfa (3) and Akram Al Yusran (3).
The natural disasters also caused 17 residents of Pattalikang Village in Manuju Subdistrict to go missing. Among them were Mansyur (45), Lallo, Rahmatiah (45), Daeng Lobo, Yana (10), Nurjannah (33), Asni (35), Sukma (45), and Nurhipayah (20).
Rescue workers have been attempting to search for the missing residents. The deadly flooding and landslides have not merely claimed the lives of local people but have also forced at least 2,121 people to take refuge in safer places.
The displaced residents were temporarily accommodated in 13 buildings, including mosques, sub-district administrative offices, wet markets, and health centers, Ichsan noted.
The local disaster mitigation workers, along with the local government officials, had handled the affected residents by prioritizing their safety, evacuation to temporary shelters, and humanitarian aids.
"We also conducted medical check-ups and provided them public kitchens," he added.
The floods submerging certain parts of Gowa District were triggered by the overflowing of Seneberang River and Bili-Bili Dam.
According to the South Sulawesi provincial government`s food security and horticultural office, the floods, inundating the districts of Gowa, Makassar, Maros, Pangkep, and Barru, have affected 13,792 hectares of paddy fields.
In helping those affected by this natural disaster, the Social Affairs Ministry has dispatched 450 volunteers of the emergency response unit Tagana to the affected districts.
"The Tagana members have been dispatched to the districts of Gowa, Makassar, Maros, Pangkep, and Barru to evacuate the flood victims. We have also sent two rubber boats to the disaster zones in Gowa District and one rubber boat to Makassar`s area," he revealed.
The ministry had also transported logistics aids and set up public kitchens at several emergency shelters.
Reporting by Muh. Hasanuddin, Rahmad Nasution
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
