Flash floods on a Sulawesi island kill at least 16

Heavy monsoon rain sent rivers bursting over their banks on the small island of Siau in North Sulawesi, killing at least 16 people in early January 2026. As the Associated Press reports, three more people were missing and 25 injured, while at least seven houses were swept away and more than 140 damaged. Over 680 residents moved into temporary shelters.

The local district chief, Chyntia Ingrid Kalangit, declared a 14-day emergency to speed up rescue and relief. A national disaster official, Abdul Muhari, gave the casualty numbers as teams searched the flooded villages. Flash floods like this strike fast, giving people little time to escape when a swollen river breaks through in the night.

The disaster came only weeks after far deadlier floods and landslides in Sumatra killed more than 1,100 people across the region. Together, they underline how heavy rain, steep land, and, in many places, cleared forests are making Indonesia's wet season increasingly dangerous.

Why it matters

For people living near rivers, especially in the rainy season, flash floods are a fast and deadly threat, and this is a reminder to heed evacuation warnings early. How quickly aid reaches remote islands often decides how many recover. Watch whether the government improves flood warnings and drainage before the next big storm.