We recommend giving importance to mitigation efforts to prevent the recurrence of flash floods in futureMakassar, S Sulawesi (ANTARA) - The National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) has collaborated with several institutions to identify buildings affected by the recent flash floods in Luwu Utara District, South Sulawesi Province.
"At present, LAPAN is collaborating with institutions, such as the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) and Hasanuddin University (Unhas), to identify the affected buildings," LAPAN Head M. Rokhis Khomaruddin stated during a webinar here on Tuesday.
Based on satellite imagery recently released by LAPAN, before the devastating flash floods and landslides struck, torrential rains had lashed the areas of Masamba, the capital of Luwu Utara District, and several other sub-districts, he stated.
Consequently, flash floods hit the sub-districts of Baebunta, Masamba, Melangke, and Melangke Barat, impacting housing areas as well as those of farmland and plantation.
The satellite imagery also showed landslides in the upstream areas of Rangkong, Radda, and Masamba rivers.
"We recommend giving importance to mitigation efforts to prevent the recurrence of flash floods in future," he remarked.
In another development, local rescuers, on Wednesday, continued their attempts to locate 10 victims, who were still missing following the flash floods that hit the areas of Luwu Utara District on July 13.
"The search attempts are continued on Wednesday," spokesman of Makassar's Basarnas Hamsidar remarked.
The flash floods had affected 1,591 residents, of which 1,543 survived the disaster, while 38 others lost their lives, and 10 others were yet missing, he revealed.
Some 34 of the 38 bodies were identified, while South Sulawesi Police's Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) personnel had yet to conduct an examination of the four others, he confirmed.
The disaster had resulted in the forced displacement of 14,438 residents and swamped 4,202 houses, nine school buildings, 12 mosques, and a church, Hamsidar noted.
Luwu Utara District Head Indah Putri Indriani pointed to heavy rains having triggered landslides in over 20 areas around the slope of Mount Lero heading to Radda River.
Makassar-based Search and Rescue Agency Head Mustari had earlier stated that several households in the sub-districts of Masamba, Sabbang, Baebunta, Baebunta Selatan, Malangke, and Malangke Barat had borne the brunt of the flash flood.
The flash flood, triggered by torrential rains on July 13 that caused the Masamba, Rongkang and Radda rivers to overflow, also led to the forced displacement of 655 people from 156 households, according to the Luwu Utara Disaster Mitigation Agency.
Related news: Ten other victims of South Sulawesi's flash floods yet untraceable
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Translator: Suriani M, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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