Thousands displaced by floods in Aceh
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sat, 05/15/2010 10:50 PM
Flash floods that followed a heavy downpour struck at least 16 villages in Teunom district in the Aceh regency of Aceh Jaya on Saturday, forcing thousands of people to seek refuge.
Local government official Jaddad Husaini said the displaced people sought shelters in three refugee centers.
“The heavy rain caused River Teunom to overflow on Saturday morning. In some areas the floodwater reached 1.5 meters in height,” he said as quoted by Antara.
No fatalities have been reported in the worst natural disaster to have hit the regency so far. The provincial government has sent food supplies, including instant noodles and canned fish, and clothes to the flood victims.
The floods have paralyzed traffic between Calang, the capital of Aceh Jaya, and Meulaboh in West Aceh.
