Flood hits Jambi, cuts off roads

Flood hits Jambi, cuts off roads

Jon Afrizal, The Jakarta Post, Jambi

Floods spread on Wednesday through Batanghari regency, 150
kilometers west of Jambi city, cutting access to roads connecting
several of its subdistricts.

No injuries or fatalities were immediately reported in the
incident.

The flooding, which reached 70 centimeters deep in some areas,
was caused by the Batanghari River overflowing its banks from
heavy rains that fell a few days ago.

Water inundated streets and three bridges in Maroseboilir
district, isolating local residents in the affected areas.

Thousands of residents in the affected subdistricts are facing
a possible food shortage, as the flood had cut off transportation
means and prevented them from procuring basic foodstuffs in
Muarobulian, capital of Batanghari regency.

Jambi Housing and Infrastructure Office head Afrizal Said
expressed concerns that the flood had damaged roads and bridges
across the regency, and vowed to restore them as soon as the
waters subsided.

The regency's farmers were also affected by the flood, which
had reportedly washed away hundreds of hectares of paddy fields,
dashing their hopes for a good harvest.

Acting Jambi Governor Zulkifli Nurdin said the local
administration had placed flood management posts in the
province's regencies and municipalities on an around-the-clock
alert to provide assistance to flood victims.

Separately, in anticipation of possible flooding, the East
Java regency of Jember has been renovating embankments in areas
prone to flooding, Antara news agency reported on Wednesday.

Jember Irrigation Office head Suwandi said the precautionary
measures were taken after a severe flood two years ago, which was
found to have been caused by severe damage to embankments. The
flood destroyed hundreds of houses and thousands of hectares of
paddy fields.