FLOOD KILLS TODDLER IN E KALIMANTAN

Samarinda, E Kalimantan, April 2 (ANTARA) - A flood inundating nine hamlets in Loa Ipuh village, Tenggarong sub-district, East Kalimantan, killed a toddler on Friday.

The body of Mika Marsiha (3.5 years) was found floating beside her flooded house in Loa Ipuh village at 03.30 pm local time, said M.Hatta, the dead child's father.

"I myself found her floating on the flood water," he said, adding that he had been sleeping beside his daughter but when he woke up at 03.00 am she had disappeared from the bed.

"Then I searched for her around the house and found her floating beside my house," said Hatta who was heart-broken by his daughter's death.

Some flood victims said the flood waters which had submerged their houses since Thursday might have been caused by the breaking down of several brick-making factories' water reservoirs.

"Over the past three days, it only rained once. I think the flood was caused by the breaking down of some brick-making factories' water reservoirs," said Nani, a local resident.

Another villager named Ganing said the flood waters reached one meter high in several places, forcing a few hundred villagers to take refuge on higher ground.

"I am still staying at home but my family has fled to my relative's house," he said.

Some flood victims said they had run out of food so they hoped the local government would soon send then relief aid.