TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Floods had hit Lhokseumawe and North Aceh District in Aceh Darussalam Province, following incessant heavy rains over the past several days.

Flooding affected four villages in Blank Mangat sub-district, Lhoksemawe. The four villages were Mane Kareung, Rayeuk Kareung, Asan Kareung and Blang Punteut, Ahmad, a local villager, said here, Saturday.

In Matang Kuli, North Aceh District, floods affected more than 10 villages, such as Hagu, Alue Thoe, Lawang, Tumpok Barat, Mee, Alue Euntok, Ceubrek Pirak, Tanjong Haji Muda, Meuria, Siren, Meunye Pirak and Pante Pirak.

The flood waters reached a height of between 60 cm and 80 cm. The worst flood-affected villages were Lawang and West Tumpok located along the bank of Keureto River.

In the current rainy season, floods and landslides have affected several provinces, such as North Sumatra, West Java, Central Java, East Java, Yogyakarta, Riau, West Kalimantan, and Central Kalimantan.

Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called on the public to stay vigilant as several regions in Indonesia are experiencing severe weather lately.

"I call on the public to stay vigilant because the weather is very extreme," Jokowi told the media on Saturday.

Severe weather has triggered strong wind, heavy rains, and high sea waves.

The Head of State has instructed his relevant officials, particularly the personnel of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), and regional administrations, to anticipate the disaster and be ready to provide assistance to the public when needed.

"I have ordered the BNPB, TNI, Polri, Basarnas, concerned ministries, and regional administrations to be vigilant and help the public in case of any disaster. We have to anticipate the impacts of extreme weather, particularly on food production," he stated.

ANTARA