Jakarta(AsiaNews) – At least 12 people have been killed in floods that swept across six sub-districts of Langkat regency in the north of theislandofSumatra. The area’s big rivers burst their banks and overflowed, putting homes at risk.
Torrential rains pouring down onIndonesiasince 21 December have created a mudflow that has made roads linkingSumatrato Aceh province impassable. Hundreds of commuters were stuck for the night in forested areas of the province, unable to return home.
Several sources said the death toll is not known as yet. Zainal Arifin, spokesman of the affected regency, said: “We have lost all contact with Sekoci village and consequently also with Aras Kapal and Alur Jambu, that are situated 15km off the roads.”
The emergency has blocked all public activities: schools have shut down and thousands of people have moved to safer places.
The authorities of the regency have publicly blamed “widespread illegal logging taking place inLeuserNational Park.” Syamsul Arifin, mayor of Langkat, said: “These criminals are the real perpetrators of this tragedy.”
