Rains cut communications in Nias

Rains cut communications in Nias

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Communications in Nias regency have been
cut since Sunday due to damage to the high power amplifier (HPA)
following bad weather, local officials said on Monday.

M. Sinaga, spokesman for state-owned telecommunication firm PT
Telkom for North Sumatra, said the HPA was damaged hours after
the electricity supply was totally cut on Sunday during heavy
rains that had triggered flooding in some parts of Nias, killing
at least 11 people.

He said Telkom had replaced the damaged HPA with a used one,
but the replacement was also damaged several hours after it was
installed.

"We are seeking a new replacement with the network division in
Tembung, Medan. But it is fruitless because they have none in
stock," Sinaga told The Jakarta Post.

Separately, local meteorologist Eddy Kelana said on Monday
that sporadic heavy rains would continue to hit Nias and several
other parts of the province, with the likelihood of further
floods. --JP