Thousands flee Kampar flood

Thousands flee Kampar flood

PEKANBARU, Riau: More than 7,000 people living in villages along the Kampar River have fled their homes as flooding from the river worsened, Antara reported.

Since the river overflowed last Saturday, floods have stricken 51 villages in seven districts in the Kampar regency. A six-year- old girl who drowned on Monday was the only reported casualty.

Water has also inundated the eastern Sumatra highway, cutting off the main land access from and to Java. Over the past few days hundreds of vehicles have been stranded because of the flood, and the authorities have suggested that motorists travel through West Sumatra. (emb)