13,236 HOUSES IN RIAU STILL INUNDATED

Pekanbaru, Jan 4 (ANTARA) - At least 13,236 houses in four regencies in Riau are still inundated following the overflow of local rivers in heavy incessant rains in the past four days.

Thousands of houses were inundated in four regencies, including 5,661 in Indragiri Hulu regency, 3,552 in Pelalawan, and 2,950 in Kampar, and 1,050 in Rokan Hulu regency.

"The worst hit 56 villages in nine subdistricts in Indragiri Hulu with the flood waters two meters high," Head of the Riau Social Affairs Agency Raja Lukman Mat said here Monday.

At a coordination meeting on flood control held by various relevant government agencies chaired by Riau Gubernur Riau Rusli Zainal, Lukman Mat also said that his office has sent assistance to a number of flood-ridden areas.

The relief assistance comprised foodstuffs and drinking water as well as rice, instant noodle, canned food, kerosene and emergency tents for the flood victims.