The Jakarta Globe, May 11, 2013.
Five consecutive days of torrential downpours have inundated thousands of homes in Aceh and have caused many people to live in makeshift shelters.
In South Aceh district, six subdistricts were deluged: Sawang, Central Kluet, North Kluet, Bhagia, Bangkongan and South Kluet. More than 10,000 people in these areas were affected by the floods.
“People have fled to safe areas, and in some places, the floodwater has started to recede,” Kamarsyah, the South Aceh deputy district head, told Antaranews.com. “We still need tents for the refugees.”
Kamarsyah noted that two subdistricts, Trumon and Kluet Raya, were the worst hit regions, though there have been no reported casualties thus far.
The districts of Aceh Singkil and Simeulue were also inundated.
Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a spokesman for the National Disaster and Mitigation Agency (BNPB), said on Saturday that in some areas, floodwaters reached as high as 2.5 meters.
“Fourteen homes were swept away in Ujung Manki village …” Sutopo said. “Some bridges also drifted.”
In Aceh Singkil district, sixteen villages were inundated with up to one meter of water starting on Friday. Some 19,611 residents were affected.
In Simeulue district, the flood deluged 10 subdistricts and forced thousands of citizens to flee their houses and live in shelters.
Additionally, a 5-year-old child died after a coconut tree fell on his house in Miten village, West Simeulue.
Meanwhile, a speedboat belonging to the South Aceh Disaster and Mitigation Agency sank on Saturday morning while heading to Pasir Raja subdistrict.
“Five people were found safe, though one person … a 26-year-old, drifted away. Up until now, the victim has not ben found,” Sutopo said.
The team had to use a boat because it was not possible to travel via land in the area.
“A search and rescue team is still looking for the victim,” Sutopo added.
zo 12 mei 2013 - 2:10