HEAVY rains that flushed Wasior, West Papua, for days reached their peak Tuesday two weeks ago. Since past midnight rain came down ever more mercilessly—till the dawn came.

Around 8am, Frans Sinadi heard a thunderous noise. “Like something falling from the sky,” he said. Looking for the origin of the rumble, he gasped upon seeing water coming down fast from Mount Wondiboi towards his house in the Wasior Kota district. In panic Frans evacua