Indonesia: Sumbawa declares state of emergency, as floods affect 20,000

Panca Nugraha The Jakarta Post 11 Feb 17;

Floods and strong winds in several districts in Sumbawa regency, West Nusa Tenggara, have affected more than 6,000 families, prompting the administration to call for emergency measures.

West Nusa Tenggara Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), Muhammad Rum, said Friday flooding occurred following heavy rain and strong winds from Tuesday to Thursday.

“Sumbawa regency has been hit by floods again. Not only floods but also strong winds and landslides in several parts of the regency. The administration has declared a state of emergency,” he said.

There had been no fatalities reported but 6,253 families or 21,243 people were affected by the floods, which reach 50 to 100 centimeters.

Strong winds hit a village in Batulanteh district, damaging several houses.

Rum said several locations along the road from Setonggo to Batu Dulang experienced landslides. (evi)