FLOOD SWEEPS AWAY HOUSE IN CENTRAL SULAWESI

Palu, Central Sulawesi, April 3 (ANTARA) - A flood swept away one house at Onepute village, Petasia sub district, Morowali District, Central Sulawesi Province, following the overflowing of the La'a River.

The house was located near the bank of La'a River, Andi Parerengi, head of Petasia sub district, said here on Saturday.

Ten villages were affected by the floods in Petasia sub district, Morowali District. Three elementary schools were submerged, forcing school activities to be relocated to higher grounds.

Around 2,000 flood victims took refuge in emergency tents local authorities had set up at Bunta and other villages.

The Tompira-Kolonodale road was inundated by up to one meter, cutting off land transportation.

The Morowali social affairs office had distributed 40 tons of rice to a number of flood victim emergency tents.

"There is no problem with food stocks but the flood victims still need blankets, more medicines," Andi Parerengi said.

According to data collected by the Bunta community health center, more than 200 people had sought medical treatment at the center for such disorders as skin diseases, malaria and respiratory problems.

Meanwhile, another flood had forced 1,287 families in Loa Ipuh village, Tenggarong sub-district, the East Kalimatan district of Kutai Kartanegara, to evacuate to higher ground since Thursday.

Since Thursday evening, hundreds of people had taken refuge because they feared the flood waters would cotinue to rise, although many others had stayed at their homes.