High tides submerge two regencies in Riau

PEKANBARU: Hundreds of houses and shops in Indragiri Hilir and Kepulauan Meranti regencies in Riau were submerged by high tides over the weekend.

In Tembilahan, the capital of Indragiri Hilir, high tides inundated major thoroughfares Jl. Sudirman, Jl. Hang Tuah and Jl. M. Boya.

Maryadi, a local resident, said the tides were the highest in years.

“On Jl. Telaga Biru the water was up to 40 centimeters deep and has been used by children as a new play area,” he said.

In Selat Panjang, the capital of Kepulauan Meranti, high tides disrupted daily activities on Saturday morning.

Safitri Tarmin, a housewife, said the high tides stayed for three hours every morning, preventing students from going to school. “Motorists have been forced to be very cautious about potholes,” she said. — JP