Bengkulu (ANTARA) - The death toll from flood and landslides in Bengkulu Province rose to 15 on Sunday, according to the Bengkulu Provincial Disaster Mitigation Board (BPBD).

Ten of the fatalities were from Central Bengkulu District, three from Bengkulu City and two from Kepahiang District, Chief of the BPBD Rusdi Bakar said on Sunday.

Three people are still missing following the flood.

He said field officers deployed in nine affected districts and cities continued to upgrade the number of people killed and missing in the flood and landslides.

The flood and landslides which hit several parts of the province following incessant heavy rains on Friday also forced some 12 thousand residents to evacuate to higher grounds.

Rusdi said the BPBD has also sent teams of rescue workers to the affected districts and cities to help flood victims. They assisted the affected people in searching for missing people, distributing relief aid and setting up public kitchens

BPBD also coordinated the efforts to mitigate the impact of the flood and landslides that hit almost all districts and cities in Bengkulu Province.

He said the public that want to extend relief aid in the form of clothes and foods can hand them over to disaster mitigation command posts .

The flood and landslides also cut off land communication between Bengkulu and South Sumatra and Lampung Provinces.


Translator: Helti Marini S, Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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