Indonesia flood death toll rises to 77March 18, 2019 - 11:27 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Flash floods in Indonesia's eastern Papua province have killed at least 77 people, the disaster agency said Monday, March 18 as it raised the death toll from 58, Channel News Asia reports. More than three dozen people remain missing, while scores have been injured in the disaster, triggered by torrential rain and landslides. Authorities on Sunday had put the death toll at 58, with dozens more injured and thousands displaced. A search for more potential victims was underway on Sunday in the town of Sentani, which was hit by flash floods late Saturday. Disaster authorities have warned local governments of flash flood risks due to deforestation in the mountains surrounding the town, said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman of the national disaster agency. Flooding is not uncommon in Indonesia, especially during the rainy season, which runs from October to April. In January, floods and landslides killed at least 70 people on Sulawesi island, while earlier this month hundreds in West Java province were forced to evacuate when torrential rains triggered severe flooding. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |