Disaster Strikes Sulawesi

Another disaster has struck Indonesia and this time in the Sinjai regency of Indonesia's eastern island, Sulawesi. Reports are varied but the death toll is estimated at 167 and climbing.

Landslides and floods caused by what experts say is illegal logging and land clearance were to blame for the disaster. A search-and-rescue operation is under way after two days of heavy rain in several parts of South Sulawesi province. Sinjai regency was the worst hit area after flooding early on Tuesday. The military, police and rescue teams had reached the area.

Torrential rains and landslides are regular features of tropical Indonesia. Rampant deforestation often adds to the ease with which hillsides are saturated and collapse, environmentalists say.

According to a Reuters witness "The flash flood has receded leaving mud and damaged houses. Many houses were severely damaged and have become ruins" Saktianto, a search-and-rescue official in Makassar, said many people were feared buried under mud in areas rescuers could only reach by foot.

The central government had sent blankets, medicines and sarongs for the affected people of Sulawesi, Social Minister Bachtiar Chamsah told reporters in Jakarta. He said he had instructed ministry officials at the disaster sites to evacuate people to safe areas. Biscuits and 200 body bags had also been sent to the area.