Residents on alert as river widens following flash flood disaster in East Aceh
East Aceh, Aceh — Survivors of the flash flood disaster in Ranto Panyang Rubek hamlet, East Aceh, Aceh, are on high alert as the river has widened by up to 30 metres and its currents have grown significantly stronger in the aftermath of the catastrophe.
"The riverbank has become much wider. There were never waves like this before — now we're quite frightened. It's widened by roughly 30 metres already, from about 100 metres," said Ridwan (40), a local flood survivor.
He made the remarks whilst operating a raft on the Arakundo River at Ranto Panyang Rubek hamlet, Sijudo village, Pante Bidari, East Aceh, on Saturday.
Ridwan explained that the Arakundo River's current has become considerably stronger since the flood. Based on ANTARA's observations, the powerful current is also progressively eroding the riverbank where Ridwan's raft is moored.
"At most, the raft can carry five to eight motorbikes. It's usually busiest around the Eid holiday period," Ridwan said.
Regarding fares, Ridwan said he does not set a fixed price for his service. Passengers pay whatever they can afford, and he even waives payment for those transporting sick people.
"Sometimes people give five thousand rupiah, sometimes ten thousand. Earlier someone gave three thousand. I don't set a price. For sick people, I don't charge at all — they need to get across straight away," he said.
He noted that there was previously a floating bridge across the Arakundo River, but it was severed by the floods and there are no signs it will be rebuilt.
Since then, a local resident named Tokli has regularly relied on Ridwan's raft service to cross the river.
Despite the increasingly strong currents, Tokli said the raft he rides is reasonably stable. "But if there were a bridge, it would be much easier — you could go back and forth freely. At the moment, it's quite limited," he said.
"The riverbank has become much wider. There were never waves like this before — now we're quite frightened. It's widened by roughly 30 metres already, from about 100 metres," said Ridwan (40), a local flood survivor.
He made the remarks whilst operating a raft on the Arakundo River at Ranto Panyang Rubek hamlet, Sijudo village, Pante Bidari, East Aceh, on Saturday.
Ridwan explained that the Arakundo River's current has become considerably stronger since the flood. Based on ANTARA's observations, the powerful current is also progressively eroding the riverbank where Ridwan's raft is moored.
"At most, the raft can carry five to eight motorbikes. It's usually busiest around the Eid holiday period," Ridwan said.
Regarding fares, Ridwan said he does not set a fixed price for his service. Passengers pay whatever they can afford, and he even waives payment for those transporting sick people.
"Sometimes people give five thousand rupiah, sometimes ten thousand. Earlier someone gave three thousand. I don't set a price. For sick people, I don't charge at all — they need to get across straight away," he said.
He noted that there was previously a floating bridge across the Arakundo River, but it was severed by the floods and there are no signs it will be rebuilt.
Since then, a local resident named Tokli has regularly relied on Ridwan's raft service to cross the river.
Despite the increasingly strong currents, Tokli said the raft he rides is reasonably stable. "But if there were a bridge, it would be much easier — you could go back and forth freely. At the moment, it's quite limited," he said.