Thousands evacuated after West Java floods<\/p>\n
BANDUNG (JP): Floods have inundated thousands of homes in at
\nleast six villages in South Bandung regency over the past two
\nweeks, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate.<\/p>\n
No official report of casualties was available for the flash
\nflood which hit the villages of Tegal Sumedang, Jelekong,
\nSukamanah, Sangiang, Bojongloa, and Linggar in the Rancaekek and
\nBojongsoang subdistricts yesterday.<\/p>\n
However, residents said two people, a 60-year-old man from
\nSukamanah and an unidentified person, drowned in the Citarik
\nriver yesterday.<\/p>\n
All of the villages are on the course of the Citarum river,
\nwhich has three major tributaries -- the Citarik, Cidurian and
\nCipamokolan rivers.<\/p>\n
Residents said the flash flood followed a heavy downpour in
\nTanjungsari subdistrict, Sumedang regency, which lies 20
\nkilometers east of South Bandung regency in the upper part of the
\nCitarum watershed.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, outbreaks of diarrhea and water-borne skin disease
\nhave been reported in Rancasari subdistrict, Bandung mayoralty,
\nwhere over 250 houses have been inundated for over two weeks.<\/p>\n
Quoting an official in the local health office, Antara said
\nfour residents in the subdistrict were suffering from diarrhea
\nand dozens had skin rashes.<\/p>\n
The news agency also reported that over 350 houses in Cileunyi
\nsubdistrict, South Bandung, were inundated when the Citarik river
\nburst its banks. Twelve people are suffering from diarrhea and
\nmany more have skin diseases.<\/p>\n
In all the flood-hit areas, large areas of paddy field have
\nreportedly been destroyed.<\/p>\n
Suherman, an official at an emergency command post in Jelekong
\nvillage, told The Jakarta Post yesterday that 11 hectares of
\npaddy field in the village had been ruined.<\/p>\n
\"There are larger areas (of paddy fields flooded) in other
\nvillages,\" said Suherman, who is the Jelekong village head.<\/p>\n
He said his village area, which measures 130 hectares, had
\nbeen inundated by water up to one-and-a-half meters deep. The
\nvillage has 850 houses and 3,091 residents, he added.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Yayah, the Sukamanah village head, said there was a
\npopulation of over 5,410 in her 421 hectare area.<\/p>\n
She said her village had been inundated by flood waters for
\nover two weeks, but estimated yesterday's flood to be the worst
\nyet. Three hundred and ninety hectares of ripe paddy fields were
\ndestroyed in the flood.<\/p>\n
Separately, South Bandung Regent Hatta Djati Permana said
\nyesterday his priority was to evacuate all residents.<\/p>\n
Many flood victims had been provided with shelter in village
\nhalls, schools and mosques, he said.<\/p>\n
The regency has sent relief food supplies to emergency command
\nposts set up in every village hit by the flood.<\/p>\n
Residents said they also needed dry clothes and blankets.<\/p>\n
Scores of police and soldiers were seen helping with
\nyesterday's evacuation. (43\/aan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/thousands-evacuated-after-west-java-floods-1447893297",
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