"We have deployed two Inkamina boats and several other small speed boats owned by our members to facilitate the transportation of goods and people in Bahodopi Sub-district, Morowali District," Syahrul, chairman of a local fishermen's association, noted in Bungku, the capital of Morowali District, here on Thursday.
Fishing boats are highly sought after for transporting goods and people since several bridges, including Dampala Bridge, located in Bahodopi, had beeen destroyed by flooding.
The 35 GT-Inkamina boats carried motorcycles, LPG tubes, sugar, rice, mineral water, eggs, vegetables, and other commodities.
He revealed that the boat owners charged their clients lesser tariffs than regular days.
The local authorities are currently building an iron bridge over Dampala River in place of the old one that collapsed after being hit by flooding. The new bridge is expected to be ready in the next three days.
Flooding has hit Morowali over the past six days, rendering two people missing and submerging hundreds of homes and public facilities, such as schools, markets, and offices.
At least four bridges, located along the Trans Central Sulawesi and Southeast Sulawesi highway, were destroyed by floods that also isolated several villages.
The flooding was triggered by incessant heavy rains and environmental damages due to nickel mining activities.
Related news: Four bridges destroyed, houses damaged in flooding in Morowali
Related news: Morowali situation back under control: Police
Translator: Rolex M, Fardah
Editor: Gusti Nur Cahya Aryani
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