"The evacuation is merely intended to ensure smooth communication and facilitate distribution of relief aid among flood victims. The relief aid distribution had been disrupted as they stayed in flood-encircled area," Belu Deputy District Head Lodovikus Taolin said on Saturday.
The flood cut off land communication between the Belu district capital Atambua and the flood-affected area, causing difficulties to distribution of relief aid to the flood victims, he said.
The flood victims evacuated from Malaka Barat to Weliman came from Umatos, Lasaen, Naas and Fatoe villages. Twenty-one families are staying at their relatives` houses in Betun, capital of Malaka Barat subdistrict.
Separately, on Saturday, Yohanes Seran, coordinator of flood victims from Lasaen village, confirmed the evacuation of flood victims from Malaka Barat to Weliman, saying the evacuation was still underway.
"We are now going to leave for Weliman," he said.
He expressed hope the government would pay much attention to the fate of the flood victims because the distance between Weliman and their hometown was about 20 km.
"We hope the government will pay great attention to the flood victims in Weliman by providing them with food. It is getting more difficult to find food in their hometown," he said.
He said around 85 families from Lesaen village were taking refuge at elementary school SDK Besikama I following the overflowing of Benenain river since four weeks ago. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
