Major flooding, following incessant rains over the last three days, has inundated at least nine villages and devastated vast areas of food crops in Belu regency, East Nusa Tenggara.
Belu Deputy Regent Lodovikus Taolin confirmed the disaster on phone on Friday, saying that the flooding was sparked by overflow from Benenain River.
According to Lodovikus, despite the flooding no major evacuation was carried out as residents, whose houses were submerged, were temporarily accommodated in their relatives' houses.
“There has not been any evacuation. They decide to stay in their villages and those affected by the flood move to the safe houses of their relatives,” Lodovikus said as quoted by the Antara news agency.
Malaka Barat District head Anselmus Nahak explained that the nine flooded villages were Umatoos, Fafoe, Lasaen, Rabasa, Hai, Sikun, Loomota, Sukabilulik and Umalor.
Loofoun hamlet was the worst hit, he said, adding that the flooding was caused by damages of embankment of Benenain River.
Ludovikus further said that his office had sent assistance in the form of food stuffs and tarpaulin to the flood victims. (nfk)