The local Geomorphology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency has warned of more landslides in disaster stricken areas in Palopo, South Sulawesi, as more rain is expected in the coming weeks.
Sutikno, a staff member at the agency, told tempointeraktif.com Tuesday that the wet season would begin in that region in the third week of the month. He advised the government to soon evacuate residents living in vulnerable areas in mountainous area of Palopo regency.
He said heavy rains would also hit Tana Toraja and Masamba regencies in the coming weeks.
As of Tuesday morning, search and rescue workers have evacuated 18 dead bodies after rain triggered landslides in Palopo on Sunday morning. Eight people were still missing and were feared dead.
Rescue teams are still working to evacuate villagers who were still isolated in the mountainous area.
The landslides occurred after a three-hour torrential downpour drenched the area early Sunday. Most of the badly hit places were located on deforested mountain slopes.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
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