At least 13 residents were reported dead and two missing while another 40 thousand have taken refuge."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has appealed to all ministries and government institutions to use all their capacities to ensure that the current flood mitigation efforts run optimally.

"The President has asked all ministries and government agencies at central and regional levels to mobilize all their capacities to handle floods and other natural disasters," Coordinating Minister for Peoples Welfare Agung Laksono quoted the President as saying, here on Thursday.

Agung explained that the central government has continued to coordinate with regional governments to handle the natural disasters.

A number of natural disasters, including floods in North Sulawesi and Mount Sinabungs eruption in North Sumatra have become the center of the governments attention, he noted.

"The President has been keeping abreast of the natural disasters and has asked his ranks and files to handle them," he explained.

Agung added that the President will inspect the areas affected by the eruption of Mount Sinabung on January 23.

The President had ordered the coordinating minister for peoples welfare to inspect the flood-hit areas in North Sulawesi on Saturday (Jan. 18).

"I will leave for Manado (capital of North Sulawesi province) on Saturday morning," Agung confirmed.

"I will have a first-hand look at the efforts made by the relevant agencies there to handle the floods," he pointed out.

According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), some 40 thousand residents have been displaced by flash floods and landslides in North Sulawesi.

Head of BNPB Information Center Sutopo Purwo Nugroho stated in a press release on Thursday that floods hit six districts in North Sulawesi, namely Manado, North Minahasa, Tomohon, Minahasa, South Minahasa and Sangihe Islands.

"At least 13 residents were reported dead and two missing while another 40 thousand have taken refuge," Nugroho explained.

Around 1 thousand residents from three villages in North Minahasa District were isolated and cut off from road access due to floods and landslides.

Landslides also buried several houses in Sangihe Islands.

"Torrential rains were triggered by a low pressure build up over the southern Philippines waters that generated intensive cloud formation, while low pressure over northern Australia caused massive cloud formation that entered North Sulawesi Region," Nugroho explained.

Four major rivers in Manado had overflowed and the water washed dozens of houses and vehicles.

Hundreds of houses have been submerged in flood water reaching a height of 2.5 meters, following 11 hours of incessant rains in Manado, on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Wuryanti Puspitasari/KR-BSR/N001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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