3,000 flood victims still in shelters

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: More than 3,000 residents from four districts in Bireuen regency here are still living in temporary shelters due to prolonged flooding in the area.

"They are living in the shelters as their houses are still inundated by water," said M. Jamli, spokesman with the Bireuen regency government on Saturday.

The flooding hit the regency on Dec. 11 and inundated thousands of houses, forcing some 14,000 people to seek refuge elsewhere. Some have been able to return home as flooding has subsided, while the majority are still living in the shelters. -- Antara