Flash Floods in Enrekang Leave Mud and Collapsed Roads

Floods and landslides continue to haunt a number of areas in South Sulawesi. Residents are asked to be alert.

KOMPAS/RENY SRI AYU ARMAN

One of the stretches of road in Poros Enrekang-Toraja, South Sulawesi, experienced subsidence on Sunday (28/4/2024) due to flash floods and landslides that had hit Enrekang the night before. This disaster has left behind mud and a sunken road.

MAKASSAR, KOMPAS — Flash floods and landslides that hit Enrekang, South Sulawesi, left behind mud and collapsed roads. As of Sunday (28/4/2024) afternoon, the Enrekang-Tana Toraja main road was colored with long traffic jams due to several points that were difficult to pass.

Observations in Enrekang show a long queue of vehicles from the direction of Makassar to Toraja and vice versa passing through Enrekang. Several roads have also collapsed, with officials implementing road closures as vehicles cannot pass through.

Several vehicles even have to wait since early morning while waiting for heavy equipment to open up roads that are closed due to landslides and sinkholes. The heavy equipment continues to work in cleaning up landslide materials and opening up access.

"I was entering Enrekang during the flood. I had to wait until morning when the road was finally opened. Even then, I had to queue because of the opening and closing," said Marten Limbong (47) who was on his way to Makale, Tana Toraja.

RENY SRI AYU ARMAN

One of the houses in the front part of the Puserren Village, Enrekang District, Enrekang, South Sulawesi collapsed on Sunday (28/4/2024). Flash floods and landslides hit Enrekang on Saturday (27/4/2024) night.

Flash floods and landslides hit Enrekang on Saturday (27/4/2024) night. Prior to that, heavy rain had fallen for more than three hours from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm Wita. After some time, the water overflowed.

Also read: Landslide in Tana Toraja, 18 Residents Killed and Two Others Still Wanted

In posts on various social media, water can be seen overflowing like a brown-colored river on the streets and residential areas. In some buildings, the water even reaches almost to the roof. However, by morning the water has receded, leaving behind mud.

Until Sunday (28/4/2024) afternoon, the Enrekang-Tana Toraja axis road was marked by long traffic jams due to several points on the road being difficult to pass.

According to residents, in several instances of flooding in Enrekang, the cause was the river water overflowing into residential areas. However, on Saturday night, the water from the mountain descended along with rocks and soil.

"Previously, heavy rain had been falling nonstop from afternoon until night. Even on Friday, landslides and floods had occurred in several residential areas. During the rain, we were focused on several points that were previously frequently flooded. Unexpectedly, the main road area where there are offices was the worst hit," said Abdul Rahim, one of the volunteers from Enrekang Social Services.

KOMPAS/RENY SRI AYU ARMAN

Stacks of goods in front of a resident's house in Puserren Village, Enrekang District, Enrekang, South Sulawesi, on Sunday (28/4/2024). Flash floods and landslides hit Enrekang on Saturday (27/4/2024) night.

Until Sunday afternoon, residents were still continuing to clean up the remaining mud in their homes. Furniture and other items were piled up in the yard and on the side of the road. Several items appeared to be damaged due to the mud.

The Head of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of South Sulawesi, Amaon Padolo, stated that as of Sunday afternoon, personnel on the ground were still collecting data on the damage and losses caused by this flash flood.

"Until now, the data has not been collected. What is certain is that the water has receded. Recently, the weather has been quite extreme. Heavy rain has occurred for a fairly long time. This triggered several landslides and floods in South Sulawesi. Therefore, we urge residents to remain vigilant," he said.

Also read: Landslide in North Toraja, Two Buried Victims Still Searching for

KOMPAS/RENY SRI AYU ARMAN

Goods pile up in front of the Enrekang Community Health Center, South Sulawesi, Sunday (28/4/2024). Flash floods hit Enrekang on Saturday night.

Previously, on Friday (26/4/2024), a landslide occurred in Buntao, North Toraja. The landslide buried eight residents, with five surviving and three others passing away. The last victim of the landslide was found on Saturday afternoon.