Floods Hit 710 Houses In North Sumatra

Langkat, N Sumatra, Oct 7 (Antara) - Floods, up to one-metre deep, affected 710 houses at Sei Bamban and Batang Serangan villages in Langkat District, North Sumatra, until Monday morning. "As many as 710 houses have been submerged due to the flood waters," said spokesperson for the Langkat District Disaster Mitigation Board Agussalim on Monday. The area became flooded on Sunday, and 910 houses at Karya Jadi, Sei Bamban and Batang Serangan villages were affected. However, the number of flooded houses decreased to 710 on Monday morning, he said. Many residents of worst-hit Sei Bamban and Batang Serangan villages were seen taking refuge on Monday morning, he added. "Two hundred families at Karya Jadi village have returned home to clean their houses," he said. Ramlan Lubis, chief of the Batang Serangan village, said the one-metre deep flood waters have submerged some of the houses in the village. Many residents, who fled the villages, have returned home, he said, adding that they should stay alert as heavy rains may cause a local river to overflow. "The Langkat district administration has provided assistance by distributing instant noodles and mineral water to the affected residents," he said.