More Heavy Flooding for West Java, Indonesia

2010-02-22 428

Yesterday’s heavy rains have affected thousands of residents in Indonesia's West Java Province.

Floodwaters up to five feet deep submerged thousands of houses forcing some to seek refuge in temporary shelters.

Last month, the Citarum River overflowed flooding homes in several villages near West Java's capital of Bandung.

Some have stayed in makeshift shelters for more than three weeks now.

[Agus, Flood Victim]:
"There is nothing I can do, I came here without taking anything from my house. All of our belongings are submerged in our house."

Residents say unhealthy conditions in the temporary shelters have been rough for their children.

[Elis, Flood Victim]:
"It is difficult to get clean water here, my baby is also sick."

Landslides and floods are frequent in Indonesia, where tropical downpours soak hillsides. And years of deforestation often mean there is little vegetation to hold the soil in place.