Floods worsen, diseases rise in Rokanhilir

Floods worsen, diseases rise in Rokanhilir

Puji Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru

The floods in Rokanhilir regency, now into its second week and
showing no signs of abating, have disrupted traffic and brought
water-borne diseases to residents of low-lying areas.

Upper respiratory tract infections, skin ailments, diarrhea
and other illnesses have been reported so far, affecting 45
people across the regency.

Head of Rokanhilir Health Office Dr. M. Fauzi confirmed on
Saturday the emergence of diseases in the three districts worst
affected by the floods: Tanaputih, Pujud and Rantau Bais.

In Tanahputih district, five were suffering from skin ailments
and eight from diarrhea, while in Pujud district, 10 had upper
respiratory tract infections, 17 had skin ailments and five had
diarrhea.

"The floods have not subsided as of now. Flood waters have
even exceeded average depths, reaching six meters in a number of
areas, and have inundated the Trans Sumatra highway to North
Sumatra. More than 3,000 homes have been submerged," said Fauzi.

Elementary schools in the districts have been closed this week
because of the floods, and dozens of buildings and schools are
underwater.

"It has been five days that my children haven't attended
school because the whole school is submerged in water. There are
still no signs the water will recede," said Zulhajar, a resident
of Rangu village.

Separately, Rokanhilir Transportation director Ahmad Syaiful
said roads between Rokanhilir and neighboring Rokanhulu had been
impassable these past two weeks, with water reaching 1.5 meters
to 2 meters deep along the shoulder.

"Public vehicles cannot pass on the alternative road because
it has not been asphalted," said Ahmad on Saturday.

Flood victims are also facing a shortage of clean water,
compounded by a delay in receiving supplies from the local
administration.

"We really need clean water for our daily needs because we
can't use the wells," Zulhajar said.

In addition, the flood victims need food and medicine.

Riau Deputy Governor Wan Abu Bakar has called for the
immediate establishment of refugee camps on higher ground for
Rokanhilir flood victims.