Flood inundates paddy fields

Flood inundates paddy fields

CILACAP, Central Java: Three days of incessant rain resulted
in flooding in four subdistricts here on Friday, inundating
thousands of hectares of newly planted paddy fields.

The subdistricts covered in 50 cm of water were Adikala,
Kroya, Kawungenten and Sidareja.

Priyono, a staff member at the Kroya subdistrict office, said
the worst-hit area was Sikampuh village. The village almost
always flooded during the rainy season, he said.

In two other villages, Adireja Wetan and Doplang, many roads
were half a meter under water.

In Kawunganten and Sidareja water 40 cm deep seeped into
houses.

Cilacap regency administration spokesman, Suprihono, said
floods in the area were a routine occurrence every rainy season
that normally lasts from October through April.

"But, this year we are all bracing for La Nia," he said,
referring to the wet weather phenomenon that has been predicted
to worsen this year's rain season.

Sidareja and Kawunganten could become the worst-hit areas,
according to Suprihono.

The Central Java Meteorology and Geophysics Agency has warned
that Cilacap, Purbalingga and Banjarnegara, Pekalongan, Kedu,
Semarang, Surakarta and Pati would probably suffer especially
badly if La Nia struck with a vengeance. (45)