Two dead, one missing in Lampung floods

Oyos Saroso, The Jakarta Post/Bandarlampung

Two people died, other went missing and four houses were swept away in floods in West Lampung and Tanggamus regencies on Wednesday and Thursday.

The flooding also caused a landslide on a main road connecting the two regencies, leading to heavy road congestion.

The remains of Taskir and Tarwuji were found floating on a river and at sea respectively in West Lampung regency, while Afrizal was swept away by a strong current while bathing in a river with friends on Thursday. A search and rescue team is looking for him.

The flooding also caused traffic congestion from Wednesday through Thursday night on a road in Kubuperahu subdistrict, West Lampung, due to a landslide that closed off the road after heavy rain. The incident caused long lines of cars and motorcycles waiting to get through, including a car belonging to Lampung provincial councillor Christimore.

Road operator firm PT Bina Marga was advised of the situation and head of its task force in Lampung, Muhammad Rasyid, ordered the deployment of heavy machinery to the area.

Separately in Tanggamus regency, heavy rain has caused the Jelai River to overflow. Four houses were reportedly swept away by a strong current while another house was severely damaged. An environmentalist, Mukri Priatna, said the flooding and landslide was caused by rampant illegal logging in the two regencies. Illegal logging is thought to take place in South Bukit Barisan National Park, which is located in the two regencies.