1,400 Pekanbaru Residents Affected By Floods Due To Heavy Rain 2 In Weeks

The condition of Jalan Sudirman Ujung Pekanbaru which was flooded. (ANTARA/HO-Tiktok Screenshot Ryos Syaifulah)

RIAU - A total of 1,400 people or more than 100 families (KK) were affected by the overflow of the Siak River, Pekanbaru, Riau Province.

High-intensity rain has flushed Pekanbaru over the past two weeks.

"We have anticipated by establishing posts at the location of the flood. There are around 1,400 people or more than 100 families (KK) affected by the flood," said Pekanbaru City Secretary Indra Pomi Nasution, in Pekanbaru, Tuesday, January 9, as reported by Antara.

The floods included Meranti Pandak Village, Rumbai District, Jatayu Housing, Marpoyan Damai District and settlements in Palas, Payung Sekaki District. In addition, there were also floods in Rumbai Pesisir, Tenayan Raya, and Bukit Raya Districts.

However, continued the Regional Secretary, the number of residents affected by the flood who fled was less than 50 families, because some residents chose to stay in their respective homes.

Pekanbaru City Government has sent ready-to-eat food supplies and packaged rice to flood refugees.

"We also sent doctors to refugee camps. We also anticipate flooding by alerting equipment from the Public Works and Public Housing Service," he said.

Pekanbaru City Government has declared a flood emergency status since the end of last year until January 31, 2024. Meanwhile, the weather prediction from the Pekanbaru Meteorology and Geophysics Agency for the rainy season is expected to occur until the end of January 2024.

The current condition apart from housing, it has been observed that since the end of the year the flood has inundated Jalan Sudirman Ujung Pekanbaru to the height of the knee of an adult. As a result, passing vehicles need guidance because of a hole in the middle of the road.