Heavy rain causes floods in Sumatra

BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: Heavy rainfalls in the past week have flooded hundreds of houses in Tulang Bawang regency in Central Lampung and paralyzed the eastern route of the Trans Sumatra highway.

Recent reports said that the floods, which overflowed from Way Kalimiring and Way Terusan rivers, reached a height between 1.5 meters and 2 meters.

There were no signs of abatement after the floods peaked on Monday.

The closure of the eastern route caused traffic congestion which was 20 kilometers long on the route linking Lampung and Palembang in South Sumatra.

Spokesman of Lampung administration, Capt. Mahudin, said that the police would reroute traffic through northern Lampung. (52/04)