Flood cuts off highways

Flood cuts off highways

PEKANBARU, Riau: A major flood cut off the highways connecting Java, Riau and West Sumatra on Thursday, a press report said yesterday.

The flood, triggered by incessant rains, inundated a vast area in Riau and West Sumatra. It has so far claimed at least six lives.

Chairman of the Riau agency for highway and land transportation, Yurnalis Saiby, told Antara that land transportation between Pekanbaru and Padang was cut off in Kampar, while the Riau to Jakarta road was cut in Indragiri Hulu.

"The Pekanbaru to West Sumatra highway is flooded with between one and two meters of water," Yurnalis said.

He said vehicles heading for Jakarta must take an alternative route through the neighboring province of Jambi.(pan)