Flash flood in Indonesia kills 16, displaces hundreds

Tuesday 06 January 2026 - 12:45

By: Sahili Aya

Flash flood in Indonesia kills 16, displaces hundreds

At least 16 people have died and three are missing after a sudden flash flood hit Siau Island in Indonesia, authorities reported Tuesday. The disaster struck on Monday as an overflowing river inundated four towns on the small island north of Sulawesi.

Abdul Muhari, spokesman for the national disaster mitigation agency, said 22 people were injured and nearly 700 villagers were forced to leave their homes. Search and rescue teams are actively looking for the missing.

“The flash flood was caused by heavy rain that had soaked the area since early morning, resulting in a sudden surge of the river’s water flow,” Abdul explained. Images from the scene showed uprooted trees and large boulders swept away by the torrent.

Roads were blocked and dozens of homes, public buildings, and infrastructure were damaged. Authorities noted that floods are common in Indonesia during the monsoon season, which typically runs from October to March.

Last year, heavy rains and tropical storms caused widespread destruction across South and Southeast Asia, including Sumatra in Indonesia, where over 1,100 people died and more than 240,000 were displaced.