Painan, W Sumatera (ANTARA News) - The floods have inundated 841 houses in Silaut Sub-District, South Pesisir District, West Sumatra Province, since Thursday night, following incessant rains that lashed the area, stated a Regional Disaster Management Board (BPBD) official.

The flooding, which started at 10 p.m. local time, has risen to waist-high level, the BPBD Head of Emergency and Logistics Medi Yuherman revealed here on Friday.

The inundated houses are located in the villages of Sungai Sirah, Sungai Serik, Sungai Pulai, Talang Binjai, Pasir Binjai, and Air Hitam.

The flooding has severely affected the lives of 316 families in Air Hitam, 210 families in Sungai Serik, 200 families in Sungai Pulai, 50 families in Pasir Binjai, 43 families in Sungai Sirah, and 22 families in Talang Binjai, Yuherman remarked.

In a bid to help the victims, the BPBD has deployed 15 personnel in the disaster-hit zone. They are not just handling the situation but also distributing ready-to-eat meals, he stated.

Medi reported that the districts local government has also provided food aid packages comprising rice, instant noodles, and cooking oil for the affected people.

Disaster management equipment are also being deployed in order to distribute humanitarian aid and evacuate the local residents.

The flood situation is forecast to continue for another day due to the ongoing incessant rains, Medi affirmed.

"The Silaut Sub-District is often hit by floods during every rainy season as it does not have a good drainage system. Transportation is also often hindered due to the inundated roads," claimed Syafril, a 53-year-old local resident.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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