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.