REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, KOLONODALE -- A flash flood hit several villages on Thursday in North Morowali district, Central Sulawesi, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate to higher ground.

The flood heavily inundated houses in these villages, with some being submerged by flood waters, sources told Antara.

The flood caused the evacuation of 1,235 residents of Bunta village, 189 residents of Togo Mulya village, 189 residents of Maralee village, and some 200 residents of Moleono village.

The number of evacuees is expected to increase as the flood waters in villages continue to rise, the source said.

The flood hit hardest in the villages of Tompira, Bunta, Moleono, Sampalowo, Togo Mulya, Tiu, Mondowe, Maralee, Tontowea and Koromatantu.

The flood also destroyed paddy fields.

Head of Bunta village Alfred S Pantilu, speaking to Antara from the evacuation camp, said the flood began early this month after heavy rainfalls.

"The flood reached its peak on April 9. Since then, flood waters have gradually subsided, so motorcyclists can pass through inundated places," he said.

He noted that flood waters began to increase in the past two days, following incessant rains in the upper reaches of the La river in Mori Atas sub-district.

"The flood this time is larger than that of 2010. If rains continue to fall in Mori Atas, the road connecting Tompira to Bunta will be cut off," he said.

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