TEMPO.CO, Pekanbaru - Heavy rain in Riau has flooded the Batang Nilo river in Pelalawan. As many as two villages located along the streamline inundated by the flood and one resident was reported died after being swept away by the river flow.

"The two villages are still covered by the flood," said Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) head in Pelalawan Hadi Penandio on Thursday, March 2, 2017.

Hadi said the water started to flood the people’s houses at Kembang Bungo and Air Hitam villages since Tuesday (Feb. 27). The heavy rain falling at the upstream of Indragiri and Kuantansingingi has made the Batang Nilo river stream could not contain the water debit and flooded the villages.

BPBD Pelalawan recorded that at least 80 families in Kembang Bunga village have become the victim of the flood, while the number of the victim in Air Hitam village is still unknown.

A resident of Lubuk Kembang Bungo village, Fernando (20), was reported died after being swept away by the river's current. His body was found a few hours after the incident.

Hadi revealed as many as 50 joint personnel from the BPBD Pelalawan, TNI (National Armed Force), the police, and SAR team stand by at the flood area.

The officers have built two units of evacuation camp and evacuated the people to the safe area. "We have also prepared inflatable boat and health clinic," he said.

RIYAN NOFITRA