Landslide Hits West Sumatra

Sarilamak, West Sumatra, April 25 (Antara) - Landslide that hits Limapuluh Kota district last Wednesday (April 24) afternoon buried five hectares of ready-to-harvest paddy field in the area, local people Ikal Hendra Dt Momat said here on Thursday. He said the incident will foil this season`s harvest time. Apart from storing up paddy field, the landslide also bury the street and irrigation facility. "Lucky there`s no casualty due to the incident," he added. Earlier spokesman of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said floods and landslides have hit 11 districts in Indonesia lately. "Although we are currently entering the transition period from rainy season to dry season, several Indonesian regions are still experiencing floods and landslides," he said. The agency has set up emergency command posts and public kitchens. It has also distributed relief aid for flood and landslide victims. Rescue operation has been carried out by the agency with the assistance of military and police personnel as well as the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI)`s volunteers. The affected sub districts are Bandung and Garut in West Java Province; Bojonegoro, Madiun, Tuban, Sampang, and Pasuruan in East Java; North Mamuju in West Sulawesi; Mentawai Islands in West Sumatra; Pandeglang in Banten; and several districts in Aceh Province. The floods were triggered by incessant heavy rains.