Quake Victims in Aceh Fail to Get Clean Water

Banda Aceh (Antara) - Victims of Tuesday quake in Takengon, capital of Central Aceh District, failed to get clean water after the tap-water company (PDAM) Tirta Tawar's installation was severely damaged by the major quake, a spokesman said. "The PDAM water installation sustained severe damage due to the quake," Central Aceh District government official, Windi Darsa said here on Wednesday. The machinery anchoring ground in Mandele village found vanished between three to seven meters following the temblor, Windi quoting PDAM president director, M Daud as saying. However, PDAM was trying to repair the machinery and damaged pipes in a number of locations to facilitate the clean water supply to residents, Windi pointed out. The quake`s death toll reached 10 people while the number of the wounded 109 with 16 of them only suffering minor injuries. At least 694 houses in two districts in the Bener Meriah district, Aceh Province, have been damaged heavily and lightly due to a tectonic quake measuring 6.2 on the Richter Scale on Tuesday (2/7). Meanwhile, aids from the government and the private sectors have started flowing in and have directly been delivered to the victims. (*)