FILE PHOTO: A minivan is stuck in floodwater in Entrop area in Jayapura, Papua on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017. - The Jayapura Police via The Jakarta Post/ANN
JAKARTA: At least 15 people have been confirmed dead and eight others remain missing after flash floods swept through two districts in Indonesia’s Papua Highlands, officials said on Tuesday evening (Nov 4).
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said all 15 victims were found in Dal district of Nduga regency, while search and rescue teams continue to look for eight others in Yuguru village, Meborok district.
"The flash floods, triggered by heavy rain, struck both districts on Saturday evening,” BNPB spokesperson Abdul Muhari said in a statement.
He warned of further downpours in the coming days, with a weather alert in effect for the Papua Highlands until Thursday.
The agency has urged residents, particularly those living near rivers, to move to higher ground if rain persists for more than an hour and to heed official evacuation orders. - Bernama
