Tidal waves destroy hundreds of houses in Central Sulawesi

Antara 22 Feb 11;

Palu, C Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - Around 150 houses in Buol district, Central Sulawesi, have been destroyed by tidal waves in the past two days.

Buol district legislative assembly (DPRD) spokesman Ahmad Andi Makka said here on Tuesday that the coastal residents whose houses were destroyed had been evacuated to safer areas.

"The people whose houses were destroyed have started to evacuate," Andi Makka said, adding that the tidal waves have beating upon the coastal area of Buol district for the past two days but there was no immediate information about fatality and the amount of material loss.

He said the coastal area at Buol district was repeatedly hit by tidal waves every year but this time was the worst.

Andi Makka said that the people at the tidal wave prone area would be relocated to safer areas.

"Last year the local government cleared a land for the relocation of the people living at tidal wave prone area, and this year some 150 houses will be built there with a budget of Rp3 billion," he added.

Editor: Priyambodo