Indonesia: Weeks of flooding in Riau claims four lives, affects 5,000 families

Rizal Harahap The Jakarta Post 13 Mar 17;

Regencies in Riau have been hit with flooding since mid-February, with at least four lives claimed. Fernando, 20, a resident of Pelalawan regency, died when crossing the overflowing Nilo River on March 2, while Suguh, 11, a resident of Kampar, drowned in the Sebayang River on March 3.

Usman Nasution, 55, a resident of Indragiri Hulu, was found dead with his son Krisjayanto Nasution, 21, on Sunday. The father and son were believed to have drowned after the boat they used to recover their belongings from their home upended.

“After leaving their motorcycle with a security guard in the area, they walked to their residential area. But both did not return until 9 p.m.,” said Indragiri Hulu Police spokesperson First Insp. Yarmen Djambak.

Their bodies were found in their home on Sunday morning.

A local hospital confirmed drowning as the cause of their deaths.

The Riau Disaster Management Agency recorded that 65 villages in five regencies were still flooded as of Monday. More than 5,000 families have been affected by the floods, with Rokan Hulu and Pelalawan regencies being the worst hit. (wit)