DEATH TOLL IN NORTH KOLAKA FLOODS RISES TO 10

Kendari, SE Sulawesi, Jan 24 (ANTARA) - The death toll in last Friday's floods that swept through Batu Ganda village in North Kolaka district, Southeast Sulawesi province, rose to 10 after a 2-year-old child was found dead on Saturday.

The dead child, identified as Siwa, was found by local residents at the basin of Batu Ganda river, covered by mud, chief of the Kolaka search and rescue post Hidayat said on Sunday.

Rescue workers were still searching for three missing people, identified as H Talla (51), Batti (24) and Ana (24), he said.

He said four flood victims were currently being treated for trauma, light and serious injuries.

The floods hit the village at the wee hours of last Friday (Jan 22) as local residents were sound asleep.

By Sunday, hundreds of flood victims were being sheltered at temporary camps and staying at their relatives' houses.

The local authorities have set up a makeshift kitchen and a health service post in the flood-hit area.

Data from the Kolaka search and rescue (SAR) post show 26 houses were carried away by the strong water current, 45 houses heavily damaged and seven others were lightly.