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.