By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar
JAKARTA, May 19 (Bernama) -- One person was killed while 19 others were reported missing after severe flooding swept through a remote gold mining area in Indonesia’s West Papua province, officials said on Monday.
Four others were reportedly injured after floodwaters swept through a temporary miners’ settlement in Jim village, located in the Catubouw district of Arfak Mountains regency, on Friday evening.
National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) spokesperson Abdul Muhari said the flooding occurred following heavy rain between 1 pm and 8 pm local time.
“Floodwaters from the upstream area swept through a temporary settlement used by traditional gold miners at around 9 pm, destroying tents and washing away equipment,” he said in a statement on Monday.
A joint search and rescue team was deployed to the affected area, but efforts were hindered by poor communication networks and harsh terrain, he said.
“The search for the 19 missing victims is being carried out intensively by the joint team on the ground,” Abdul Muhari added.
Flash floods and landslides are frequent in eastern Indonesia during the rainy season, particularly in mountainous regions such as West Papua.
-- BERNAMA
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