Floods Hit Four Districts in North Sumatera

Jakarta - Floods hit four districts in North Sumatra Province, killing two people and one went missing, a spokesman of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said. "The four flood-affected districts are South Nias, Central Tapanuli, West Nias, and Mandailing Natal. The floods kill two, rendering another missing, and submerging thousands of houses," Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, the BNPB's data, information and public relations head, said here Monday. The low pressure in western Nias has caused incessant heavy rains in North Sumatra, he stated. "South Nias has been flooded following incessant down pours for more than 24 hours that triggered rivers to overflow at a height of up to 2-10 meters," he added. Seven sub districts, which have been flooded since Saturday, are Telukdalam, Fanayama, Maniamolo, Amandraya, Lahusa, Lolowau, and Gomo. "In Maniamolo and Amandraya sub districts, two people were killed after being swept away by River Eho flow that overflowed. In Telukdalam, 1,300 people have taken refuge. Some 300 people from Telukdalam and 1,000 others from Baloho town," he said. The refugees are being accommodated in BNKP Yohanes Church in Telukdalam. The local authorities are trying to collect data in other flood-affected sub districts. In Central Tapanuli district, floods inundated 11 sub districts, namely Barus, Andem Dewi, Manduamas, Kolang, Tapian Nauli, Sorkam, Pandan, Sarudik, Tukka, Pinang Sori and Badiri. There were no reports of casualties, but a number of houses were damaged. In West Nias District, the flood-hit sub districts are Mandrehe, West Mandrehe Barat, Lah'mi, and Sirombu. The floodwaters reach a height of up to 3 meters. In Mandailing Natal, a landslide triggered by a flood, buried one house which was later swept away by river flow at Lingga Bayu village. Tree people survived the disaster, but one person identified by his name as Taher, 68, was missing. Landslides also occurred in Aek Galingging and Sigala-gala villages. Natal Sub district is also being submerged up to 50 cm deep and around 1,000 people are affected. The local authorities have distributed relief aid for flood victims. "The district head of South Nias has declared an emergency situation for 14 days as of Sunday (Dec 30) until Saturday (Jan 12, 2013)," he said. (*)