New Reydon – At least eighteen people were killed, and twenty others were reported missing in widespread floods in the eastern area of the Deodecan Province of Ingerish Asperia, officials confirmed yesterday. The region from Culverden to Beaufield was particularly hard hit, with houses half-submerged and tractors and farm equipment swept away.

A state of emergency has been declared by the Ingerish Asperian Police and efforts were ongoing to evacuate the affected residents.

The Deodecan Meteorological Administration (DMA) has issued an emergency alert for the nearby towns of Weddinghurst and Ingerfort, urging residents to secure their belongings and evacuate to higher ground. An increase in rainfall is expected for the surrounding areas, including New Reydon, the provincial capital.

According to Graham Archehurst, Lieutenant-Governor of the province, the rain that began last weekend is the heaviest of this century. Archehurst said he would be visiting the affected regions to oversee the relief effort.

“The government is coordinating a response team to deal with the crisis,” said the Lieutenant-Governor in a press conference. “I apologise on behalf of my government over the deaths and disruptions caused by the heavy rains. Financial help and assistance are on their way. I promise that after we tide through this crisis, we’ll look into improving the province’s flood management systems.”

The opposing Country First Party has criticised the ruling Labor Party for being “woefully unprepared” for such a crisis and has also urged further relief packages for the affected. Other parliamentarians have called for more financial assistance from the central government.

The Ingerish Asperian Emergency Response Agency said crews were facing challenging conditions, especially on the east coast area which has more turbulent flood currents. An extensive search and rescue operation is being conducted in Hurtcombe for orphans trapped in the area.

The Deodecan military had already mobilised 1,200 troops to assist the Ingerish Asperian government “if necessary”. Dozens more of excavators and dump trucks will be deployed if the Ingerish Asperian government needs them.

According to the DMA, the accumulated rainfall in Culverdan stood at 525mm as of today. The DMA expects rain to continue in most parts of the region, but rainfall will gradually subside in many parts of the region by the end of the week.