The Only Land Access Towards The Natuna Regency Government Is Badly Damaged Due To Floods

Illustration. The joint SAR team evacuated flood-affected residents in Natuna Regency, Riau Islands on Wednesday, December 14. (doc. Natuna BPBD)

KEPRI - The only land access to the center of the Natuna Regency Government (Pemkab) of Riau Islands Province (Kepri) was badly damaged by the floods that occurred since Thursday 15 December.

The damage occurred at the Semala Bridge which connects Kelarak Village in North Bunguran District with the Bunguran Batubi District.

North Bunguran sub-district head Mardi Hendika said the Semala River overflowed and closed public access. The flood also damaged the bridge.

"The condition of the bridge is severe, we will close the access first, because it endangers the passing community," he said in Natuna, Riau Islands, Friday, December 16, as reported by Antara.

According to him, the damage to the 20-meter-long bridge hampered the mobility of people and goods in eight villages. "The road is for the distribution of food and so on," he added.

He hopes that the Riau Islands Provincial Government prioritizes improvements to Semala Positions.

"This year has been damaged twice due to overflowing river water," he said.

"If possible, not only a bridge, the road will also be (improved)," continued Mardi.

The North Bunguran District Government, he said, had mobilized residents to work together to repair the Semala Bridge.