The floods triggered by incessant heavy rains over the past two weeks, swept away several houses but claimed no live, Piter Manuk, NTT`s Social affairs office head, said here Monday.
"Last midnight, there 150 families or 737 people fled, but this morning the number has increased to more than one thousand people," he said.
The local authorities have dispatched relief aid such as emergency tents and instant food, to flood-hit areas. Mobile public kitchen vans have also been sent to the areas.
"Our personnel are standby in the fields. They are now preparing a public kitchen. If necessary, we will send more personnel from neighboring districts such as Sikka, Maumere and Lembata, he said.
Heavy rains are expected to continue to fall in East Flores in the next few days.
Indonesia has been affected by La Nina phenomena since last year, causing the nation to experience extended rainy season.
According to the Maryland-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)`s National Weather Service, La Nina might continue until March 2011.
Likely La Nina impacts during December 2010-February 2011 would include enhanced convection over Indonesia, the US weather service added.
The Indonesian authorities have warned the public to anticipate an increase in hydrometeorological disasters in the country, especially in the January-March period.
Meanwhile, a total of 23 houses in Tampalang village, Tapalang subdistrict, Mamuju regency, West Sulawesi province, had been seriously damaged by flash floods raising as high as three meters over last weekend.
An earlier flash flood caused the displacement of 37 families in Tampalang and were currently staying in temporary shelters near the coast.
(Uu.F001/H-AJM/P003)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
