FLOODS KILL 86 IN INDONESIA'S WEST PAPUA PROVINCE

TELUK WONDAMA, Indonesia – The death toll from flash flooods in a remote region of eastern Indonesia has risen to at least 86 with dozens of people still missing, an official said Wednesday.

Rescue workers were searching for survivors from the floods which hit West Papua province's Teluk Wondama district on Monday following torrential downpours.

• "At least 86 people were killed and 81 people were injured. We are still searching for dozens of missing people," Papua search and rescue official Mochamad Arifin told AFP. The chance of survival for the missing people is slim," he said.
• Arifin said the rescuers would keep searching until Monday next week but could extend their operation if needed.
• Those killed had reportedly drowned and been swept away by the powerful waters along with uprooted trees, rocks and debris.

Indonesia's climatology agency said that most parts of the country were currently experiencing torrential rains, strong winds, high waves and flooding due to extreme weather this year.

Source: AFP