Pacific / West Papua

Papua flood victims to be relocated, says Indonesian President

11:38 am on 3 April 2019

Indonesian President Joko Widodo says some people in Papua's provincial capital of Jayapura will have to relocate because of the threat of disasters.

The aftermath of deadly flash flooding in Sentani, Papua, 17 March 2019. Photo: Tabloid Jubi

On Monday, Mr Widodo visited flood victims in Jayapura, where at least 112 people were killed and thousands displaced after torrential rain in mid-March.

94 people are still missing.

Mr Widodo, who was accompanied by Papua governor Lukas Enembe, said the relocation site would be decided by local authorities.

The Antara news agency reported that he said new houses would be constructed after land was acquired.