Jambi (ANTARA Jambi) - Floods that hit Sarolangun district, Jambi province repeatedly since January 1 have caused material losses worth Rp15 billion (US$1.5 million) to the local people, Chairman of Jambi Disaster Mitigation Agency Zubaidi AR said here on Tuesday.
"Floods due to overflow of Batanghari river have inundated 4,207 houses, bridges, school and plantations in nine subdistricts namely in Air Hitam, Cermin nan Gadang, Limun, Pauh, Singkut, Mandiangin, Sarolangun, Pelalawan and Batin VIII," he said.
According to Zubaidi the number of material losses have the potential to increase as more districts and cities in Jambi province experience flood. Among those districts are Jambi city, Muarojambi, Batanghari, Merangin, Sungai Penuh and Kerinci.
In seven sub-districts in Batanghari, flood waters forced temporary closure of at least 35 schools. Some students resumed study at other schools and some have to stop schooling until the condition is normal again.
Head of the Batanghari district education and culture service Hadramin Nida said 39 elementary and high schools had to be closed for the safety of the school children.
Schools are closed either because they are still inundated by flood waters or as the schools are being isolated by floods with all roads to schools submerged under floods water, Hadramin said.
"Students facing national examination are moved to schools in other villages to allow them to continue studying," he said.(Ant)
Editor : Edy Supriyadi
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