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)