Devastating flash flood hit North Maluku’s nickel industrial zone

INDONESIA: A viral video circulating on social media depicts a devastating flash flood striking North Maluku’s nickel industrial area.

This alarming update comes directly from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).

The footage, initially shared by the account “volcaholic1” on X’s social media platform, captured the deluge of water on the evening of Wednesday (13 Sep).

Heavy rains in #Indonesia's North #Maluku have caused flash floods that hit a major nickel industry area in the province's Weda Bay, a search and rescue official said on Wednesday – Reuters 🌊

Video via: Tribun Ternate pic.twitter.com/7Rl9GRLT9I

— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) September 13, 2023

According to the uploader, torrential rain in North Maluku, Indonesia, triggered flash floods that severely impacted the expansive nickel industrial area situated in Weda Bay province.

As of Thursday, September 14th, the video had garnered over 59,000 views from concerned netizens.

Floods ravage two sub-districts in Central Halmahera

Abdul Muhari, Head of the Center for Disaster Data, Information, and Communication at the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), confirmed the recent flood disaster in North Maluku Province.

Specifically, two sub-districts in Central Halmahera Regency were inundated on Wednesday (13 Sep), around 09.00 local time.

Abdul noted, “Inundation in the affected areas gradually subsided last night,” as he was reached for comment on Thursday (14 Sep), by Kompas.com.

The Central Halmahera Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) reported that water levels in Weda District, one of the affected areas, are slowly receding.

However, in Lelief Village, Central Weda District, flooding remains a significant concern.

The nickel industrial area, PT Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park, experienced one of the worst inundations.

Abdul stated that BPBD personnel are actively engaged in emergency response and are on standby for potential evacuations.

As per preliminary data, four houses were affected in Weda District, and several road access points were submerged, with water levels reaching up to 75 centimeters.

Remarkably, despite the flood impacting two sub-districts, no residents have evacuated.

Heavy rain causing local rivers to overflow

Abdul attributed the flood disaster to a spell of intense rainfall that led to the overflowing of local rivers.

The North Maluku Province BPBD had received advance warning about the flood risk before the rivers burst their banks.

The warning alerted authorities to the likelihood of heavy rainfall and potential flooding between 12 and 13 September 2023.

In a separate weather advisory for 14 and 15 September, North Maluku Province still faces the possibility of heavy rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds.

Abdul urged local governments and communities to maintain vigilance and preparedness for potential subsequent disasters, emphasizing the need for readiness to respond to other potential dangers, including landslides.