FLOODS, HIGH WAVES IN MINAHASA CAUSE HUGE MATERIAL LOSSES

Manado, North Sulawesi, Jan. 16 (ANTARA) - Floods and huge waves which have been hitting several parts of Minahasa District, North Sulawesi, since January 13, 2009, have caused billions of rupiahs in material losses, according to a local official.

Four-meter-high waves which pounded the coast of Tombariri sub district recently inflicted serious damage on 14 permanent houses in Tambala village and seven others in Borgo village, Vicky Tanor, a spokesman of the Minahasa district administration, said here on Friday.
Most of the people living along the coast in Tombariri sub district had even to be evacuated to higher ground.
Meanwhile, floods damaged tens of houses in Remboken, Lembean and Langowan sub districts, in addition to two houses at Tataaran and Koya in Tondano sub district.
The floods also damaged roads and bridges in the affected areas.
Local authorities have distributed relief aid including food and clothes among the natural disaster victims.