Seven die in floods

Seven die in floods

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Seven people have died in the flash flood which hit East Aceh regency since Saturday, Antara reported yesterday.

Rescue workers have yet to issue data on the victims and were only able to say that five of the newest victims found were residents of the subdistricts of Kejuruan Muda, Bendahara and Langsa.

On Sunday, the agency reported that Saiful and Kabur from the Kejuruan Muda died after they were swept in the floods. Another went missing.

Heavy rains since Thursday caused the Liput River and Tamiang River to overflow. The flood has forced some 43,500 people to escape to higher grounds and destroyed hundreds of houses.

Land transportation connecting Aceh with North Sumatra has also been cut off by the flood.

A spokesman for the local rescue team, As'ad Ismail, said the flood hit six subdistricts: Matangkuli, Baktya, Syamtalira-A, Tanah Luas, Tanah Jambo Aye and Lhoksukon. (swe)