C. Java paddies suffer severe drought

SEMARANG, Central Java: A severe drought has affected 14,399 hectares (ha) of paddy fields in Central Java, and more paddies are feared to be affected if rain does not fall soon.

The farmers have been unable to reap any harvest from 3,491 ha of the 14,399 ha affected by the drought, said Central Java Agricultural Office head Sukarno.

The barren paddy fields are located across 19 regencies and municipalities of the province. -- JP