Flash floods in Indonesia kill at least 16 people and sweep away homes

Key Highlights

• In some places, access was hampered by damaged roads and disrupted communications, Muhari said.
• At least seven houses were washed away and more than 140 homes were damaged when the deluge surged down hillsides.
• The flooding forced more than 680 residents into temporary shelters in churches and public buildings, Muhari said.
• As weather improved and floodwaters receded Tuesday, rescuers recovered 16 bodies and were searching for another three missing residents in areas where entire neighborhoods had been inundated, said Nuriadian Gumeleng, a North Sulawesi search and rescue office spokesman.
• Sitaro District Chief Chyntia Ingrid Kalangit declared a 14-day emergency response period beginning Monday to speed the delivery of aid, evacuations and infrastructure repairs after the flooding that injured 25 people.