Floods Damage Rice Fields in Bengkulu

Bengkulu, (Antara Sumbar) - More than 10 hectares of rice fields were inundated in Bengkulu since Monday evening following incessant heavy rains.

"We were supposed to harvest them next month. I have a one-hectare rice field in Tanjung Agung Village," Haksa, a local farmer, remarked, here, Tuesday (Oct 10).

Haksa's paddy plants were ruined after being submerged in floodwaters.

He admitted to having suffered material losses worth Rp3 million due to the flooding.

In Tanjung Agung, at least eight hectares of rice fields were flooded.

Besides Tanjung Agung, floods also affected Rawa Makmur Village, where more than 10 hectares of rice fields were affected.

Meanwhile, downpours since Sunday have triggered a landslide and flooding in Central Bengkulu District, Bengkulu Province.

"Tanjung Raman Village is flooded, while Susup Village, located at the border of Kepahiang, is affected by a landslide," Tomi Marisi, head of the Central Bengkulu disaster mitigation office, stated here on Monday.

Kemumu River has overflowed its bank and caused flooding in Tanjung Raman Village, he added.

The only bridge connecting the Tanjung Raman Village and the capital city of the sub-district has collapsed after being hit by river currents.

"We are now at the flood site. The condition is quite dire, as the only bridge connecting the village with the capital of the sub-district has collapsed," he noted.

Meanwhile, a landslide has cut off access to a main road in Susup Village.

In West Sumatra Province, floods have hit Nagari Batahan Village, Ranah Batahan Sub-district, in West Pasaman District, and damaged 13 houses on Monday.

Relief aid was distributed to help the flood victims, Try Wahluyo, head of the West Pasaman disaster mitigation office, noted in West Sumatra on Monday.

Several rescuers were deployed to help move the flood victims to higher ground, he revealed.

The Batahan River overflowed its bank and triggered the flooding following incessant heavy rains since Sunday.

Several houses and rice fields were inundated, with floodwaters reaching a height of one meter.

Flood victims, whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the floods, were accommodated in emergency tents. (*)

Editor: Vicha Faradika