Bengkalis, Riau, Nov 15 (Antara) - Nearly 250 houses were flooded in Teluk Latak Village, Bengkalis Sub-district, Riau Province, following incessant heavy rains over the past two days.
The flood waters reached a height of up to one meter, Kaharuddin, a local official, said here on Tuesday.
"At least 250 houses were inundated, affecting 400 households. The flood waters reached a height of up to one meter in southern and eastern areas, and 50 cm to 70 cm in the north, particularly in Simpang Baru in Tluk Latak Village," Kaharuddin revealed.
The local authorities have set up emergency shelters in Teluk Latak market and in elementary schools buildings to accommodate flood victims.
Floods also inundated several villages located in the districts of Ogan Komering Ilir and Muaraenim, South Sumatra Province, over the past two days.
"As per weathermen forcast, rains will continue and everyone must remain vigilant," Indra Purna, spokesman of the South Sumatra Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Office, stated in Palembang on Tuesday.
The intensity of precipitation is quite high at up to 400 mm, and this could trigger disasters such as landslides and floods.
Flood-prone disaster regions in South Sumatra include Palembang, Lahat, Musirawas, Banyuasin and Musi Banyuasin.
Landslide-prone regions in the province include Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU), South OKU, Empat Lawang and Pagaralam.
Earlier, the National Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics agency (BMKG) had forecast that moderate to high intensity rainfall would hit areas across Indonesia this November.
South Sumatra, Bengkulu, Lampung, Bangka Belitung, North Sumatera, Banten, West Java, Jakarta and surroundings, Central Java, East Java, Central Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi, Maluku, West Papua and Papua Provinces were to witness rainfall.
Therefore, the agency had urged people living in disaster-prone areas to remain vigilant and prepared to deal with any disasters to prevent casualties.
The country is, however, expecting the rainy season to peak in January and February 2017, especially in Jakarta and its suburban areas.
Floods Inundate 250 Homes In Bengkalis, Riau
