Flood, landslide in central Indonesia injure 8, force some 5,000 to flee home

Heavy downpours triggered floods and landslides in North Sulawesi province of central Indonesia on Sunday, leaving eight people wounded and nearly 5,000 others internally-displaced, a disaster agency official said.

Waters submerged 1,130 houses up to 1.2 meters high in Bitung city along with landslides in several spots of the province, said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman of national disaster management agency.

The natural disaster cut communication in the areas, he said.

"Evacuation of affected-people is underway now, involving soldiers, personnel of disaster agency, police, and Red Cross," Sutopo told Xinhua via phone.

Assessment of the impact of the disaster is being carried out, he said.

Indonesia is frequently hit by flood and landslide during heavy rain. Endit