Aceh residents flee as three-meter waves strike

Nani Afrida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh

Memories of the tsunami were triggered in several coastal villages of South Aceh regency on Saturday as huge waves struck, destroying dozens of houses.

The three-meter-high waves hit the area at 6 a.m.

The unusually high waves were triggered by a full-moon tide and strong winds, said seismologist Sanun Ahmad, quoted as saying by Antara news agency.

"I had just finished my morning prayers when the spat of waves struck my house. My family quickly fled to higher ground," Ridwan, a resident of Sawang district, told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.

Seven months after the Dec 26 tsunami catastrophe, in which 129,000 people died, residents nerves are still on edge. Hundreds of people fled to safer areas on Saturday.

Meanwhile, at least 45 houses were damaged on the same day after a storm hit two subdistricts in Muara Dua district, Lhokseumawe, North Aceh regency.

Dozens of people took refuge in the nearest mosque.