Landslide flattens hundreds of houses

Landslide flattens hundreds of houses

BOGOR: Hundreds of houses and many hectares of crops were
destroyed by a landslide in Sukamakmur subdistrict, Bogor
regency, on Thursday.

The subdistrict chief, Dadang, said on Friday that the
landslide, which was caused by incessant heavy rain since
Tuesday, also flattened a number of public facilities, including
five mosques and the Gunung Batu 1 elementary school.

Hundreds of residents had been forced to move into other
residents' houses, while the students of the damaged school were
being sent to the Sukawangi 1 and Sukawangi 2 elementary schools.

Bogor regency spokesman Sjahuri said that the natural disaster
had inflicted financial losses of more than Rp 4 billion. But so
far no fatalities had been reported.

According to Sjahuri, the local administration would set up a
camp to accommodate the landslide victims for up to six months
before they were relocated to a new settlement.

"We have to survey the area first and then decide which
location will be safe for them," he said.--JP