FLOODS FORCE THOUSANDS TO FLEE TO HIGHER GROUND IN GORONTALO

Gorontalo, northern Sulawesi, Oct. 27 (ANTARA) - Thousands of Gorontalo residents were forced to flee their homes to higher ground following floods hitting their areas since Sunday evening.

More than 2,000 people, including at least 17 infants and 18 old people, were evacuated from their homes in 10 neighborhoods, namely South Heledulaa, North Heledulaa, Moodu, Biawu, Bugis, Tenda, Ipilo, Tamalate, Tenilo and Limba U II, in Gorontalo City.
The Gorontalo city administration distributed relief aid consisting of cooked food, instant noddles and bottled water, to flood victims and set up 10 refugee camps to accommodate them.
The floodwaters reaching a height of between 40 centimeters and 1.5 meter, paralyzed the city as a number of office buildings, shops and school buildings were inundated.
"I am going to stay in the refugee tent as long as there is heavy rain," Iswan, one of the refugees, said.
In addition to Gorontalo City, floods also hit Bone Bolango District, Gorontalo Province, forcing hundreds of families to flee to safer areas.
The floods were triggered by incessant downpours falling in Gorontalo over the past few days.
It was reported on Monday that floods also hit Tolitoli, Central Sulawesi.