JP/5/FLOOD

JP/5/FLOOD

Flood cuts off main road on Flores

Yemris Fointuna
The Jakarta Post/Kupang

A key highway connecting two regency capitals, Maumere and
Larantuka on the island of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara, has been
cut off since Friday morning as the Namon Kewa bridge collapsed
after being overwhelmed by floodwaters.

The floodwaters have also inundated dozens of homes in
Kewapante district in Sikka regency, said Henyo Kerong, the
deputy secretary of the Sikka administration.

"Four houses were severely damaged," said Henyo.

Due to fears of a spread of post-flood disease, he said the
government had sent health officials and government workers to
help residents clean up.

Sikka Regent Alexander Longginus said they had also opened a
public kitchen for those whose houses had been damaged by the
flooding.

To address the vehicular traffic problem, he said the
government would do a feasibility study on opening up an
alternative route following the collapse of the Namon Kewa
bridge.

Separately in Southeast Aceh regency, dozens of people listed
as missing after a flash flood on Tuesday had not been located as
of Saturday evening.

The search efforts were still underway, resident Jamaludin
said, quoted as saying by Antara.

The flash flood has claimed at least 22 lives and left nearly
2,000 others homeless.

The homeless are now staying temporarily in government
buildings or tents erected in Kutacane city, the capital of
Southeast Aceh regency. The flash floods on Tuesday were the
worst in over a decade.

As of Saturday, clouds were still hanging ominously over the
regency and heavy rain continues to fall in spots, sparking fear
among the people that another deadly flash flood would hit.