Flood rescue in Parepare, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, February 2023.
© BPBD Kota ParepareFlood rescue in Parepare, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, February 2023.
More heavy rain has caused havoc on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. Disaster authorities report at least 2 people have lost their lives, one person is missing and thousands have been affected after floods in South Sulawesi Province. Flooding has also affected areas of Borneo Island in recent days.

Sulawesi Island

Hours of heavy rain late on 01 February 2023 triggered flooding in the city of Parepare. Flooding affected the districts of Ujung, Bacukiki, West Bacukiki and Soreng. Disaster authorities in the city reported the overflow of the Jawi-Jawi river in the Tegal area of the city in Ujung District. Flood waters in areas close to the river were around 1 metre deep.


Following initial damage assessments, flooding has impacted over 5,000 residents from 1,345 families. Hundreds of homes and public buildings have been flooded or damaged and 30 people displaced. Emergency teams rescued several families from flooded homes. There were also reports of a hospital building flooding, with some patients having to evacuate.

One of the hardest hit areas is the village of Lappadde in Ujung District where around 350 homes were damaged and two fatalities were reported.

Flooding struck Mallusetasi district in Barru Regency of South Sulawesi Province on 02 February. The ASEAN Disaster Information Network (ADINet) reported 1 person was missing and 215 homes were damaged. Over 700 people were affected.

Five people were killed in flash floods and landslides following heavy rain in Manado City in North Sulawesi on 27 January 2023.


Borneo Island

Heavy rain has affected other parts of the country in recent days in particular on Borneo Island. ADINet reported floods damaged 3,189 homes and affected 18,912 people in Sambas Regency in West Kalimantan Province on 31 January 2023.

The previous day flooding struck areas of Nunukan Regency in North Kalimantan Province, where over 700 homes were damaged and almost 3,000 people were affected.

On 02 February heavy rain caused flooding in Tapin Regency, South Kalimantan. ADINet reported 128 homes damaged and 294 residents affected.