Flood forces mass evacuation in Samarinda
The Jakarta Post | Sat, 11/29/2008 9:00 AM
Thousands of citizens in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, were forced
to evacuate again Saturday morning as the flood in the city
reached alarming levels.
The water level in the city has been rising since the beginning
of the week before it reached the same level as it did two weeks
ago when the citizens were also forced to evacuate.
"We are forced to move to a family house that is free from flood.
Near our house, water has already reached one meter," said one of
the citizens, Farid, as quoted by state news agency Antara.
Meanwhile, kompas.com reported that some citizens were packing
their belongings in the morning as the situation worsened.
"Those living in two-story houses wouldn't have as many problems
because they could move their stuff upstairs. But most people had
to evacuate and bring some of their belongings with them," Farid said.
The state power firm had to terminate power in the area for three
day to avoid hazard, Farid said, adding that it was another
reason the citizen had to evacuate.
The previous flood, which remained for 10 days, affected the
houses of some 25,000 to 35,000 people in Samarinda, particularly
those in areas that regularly fall victim to flooding such as Jl.
Dr Soetomo, Jl. Pemuda I, Jl. Pemuda II, Jl. Pemuda III, Jl.
Pemuda IV, Jl. Remaja, Jl. A. Yani, Jl Belibis, Jl. Tengkukur, Jl
Danau Toba, Jl Danau Poso and the most populated area in
Samarinda, the Pinang River. (and)
