Floods and landslides triggered by heavy rain have killed 14 people in Indonesia’s South Sulawesi while 115 people have been evacuated, the country’s disaster management agency says.

The early morning floods in Luwu Regency affected more than 1300 families and damaged more than 1800 houses, although water levels have since started to recede in some areas, the agency said.

Floodwaters up to three metres have affected 13 sub-districts as water and mud covered the area.

A search and rescue team worked to evacuate residents using rubber boats and other vehicles. 

More than 100 residents have been moved to mosques or relatives’ houses outside the affected area, National Disaster Management Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said.

Seasonal downpours cause frequent landslides and floods in Indonesia, a chain of 17,000 islands where millions of people live in mountainous areas or fertile floodplains.

with AP