People of S. Aceh seek higher ground

BANDA ACEH: Thousands of people in South Aceh regency were forced to leave their houses and seek higher ground on Thursday as days of heavy rain caused the water in local rivers to overflow and flood their houses.

Sarif, an official with the local administration, said on Friday that thousands of houses in six districts of the regency were affected, but so far no casualties were reported.

He said, however, that a small number of the villagers had started to return to their houses to clean up the debris.

The disaster came as people in the predominantly Muslim Aceh province, which bore the brunt of the Dec. 26 tsunami, was celebrating the Idul Fitri holiday.

Two weeks ago, a flash flood hit Southeast Aceh regency, killing 28 people and destroying some 900 houses. -- Antara