Gorontalo (ANTARA News) - Flash floods triggered by incessant heavy rains over the past week, hit eight villages in Gorontalo Province, Thursday.

The flood-affected villages are Tumbuh Mekar, Monano, Sogitia, Inogaluma, Permata, Ilohua, Mooduyo, and Muara Bone, which are all located in Bone sub district, Bone Bolango District, a local official said.

At least 111 houses, two school buildings and a mosque were damaged by the flash floods. Of the 111 houses, 14 were swept away by the inundations.

Three bridges were totally destroyed, including the one located in Trans Sulawesi and connecting Bone Bolango District in Gorontalo Province with Bolaang Mongondow Selatan District in North Sulawesi Province.

The 60-m long bridge at Sogitia village, Bone sub district, collapsed and has caused a transportation cut off.

Some 177 people or 49 families have been forced to evacuate themselves to safer places due to the disaster.

Acting District Head of Bone Bolango Hamim Pou said the flash floods have paralyzed the economic activities in his district.

"I hope the central government can assist us in dealing with this natural disaster," he said.

He added that the Bone Bolango district authorities and the Gorontalo provincial administration have distributed relief aid consisting of among other things food, drinking water and blankets to the flood victims for a week stock only.
(Uu.F001/HAJM/H-YH)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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