Floods submerge thousands of houses in Riau

Rizal Harahap ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Pekanbaru, Riau   |  Tue, 11/17/2009 4:54 PM  |  National

Floods have submerged thousands of houses across 26 villages in Rokan Hulu regency, Riau following heavy rainfall for the past week.

Based on data from disaster posts in Rokan Hulu, the flood has submerged 3,153 houses; the worst-hit district being Bonai Darussalam where the number of those affected has reached 1,700 families.

Water as high as 50 centimeters has inundated the Trans-Sumatra highway at Pasir Pengarayan. Residents have to rent boats and pay between Rp 20,000 (US$2) and Rp 50,000 for each crossing if they want to get to Pasir Pengarayan.

The Rokan Hulu regency Social Agency has distributed logistical aid such as instant noodles, rice and cooking oil to all of the victims.

Joeni Syafri, head of the agency, said his office had given the aid after it had received official request letters from the village administrations.

“The aid has yet to reach the villages because not all village or district heads sent letters. It is the administrative heads who know the exact number of residents who need aid,” Jeoni said.

He added his office was planning to set up temporary camps to accommodate those who had to move out of flood-vulnerable homes.

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