Banda Aceh, NU Online
At least five people were reportedly killed and 70,000 others forced to leave their homes by surging flash floods triggered by two days of incessant rain in a number of districts and municipalities in Aceh’s eastern coastal areas, local authorities said. 

Aceh provincial administration spokesman Husni Bahri told  newsmen here on Saturday the worst-ever floods were affecting at least 10 sub districts in the districts of North Aceh, Bireuen, Aceh Tamiang, Gayo Lues and Bener Meriah.

<>He said the districts of North Aceh, Gayo Lues and Bener Meriah bore the brunt of the flash floods but most of the people in Bireuen district were bracing themselves for more disasters.

"If the downpours continue for two more days, the people of Bireuen district will be forced to flee to higher grounds," Husni Bahri said as quoted by Antara news agency.

Meanwhile, North Aceh acting district head Teuku Pribadi said the flash floods in the district had claimed five lives; three of whom were identified as M. Ali, 27, Mahmuddin Cut, 23, and Usman, 25, while the two others remained unidentified.

Teuku Pribadi said the flash floods that hit the districts of Bireuen, North Aceh, Aceh Timiang, Bener Meriah, Gayo Lues and Lhokseumawe town along the east coast of Aceh were the worst disaster in the past 10 years. (dar)