Flooding hits 120 villages

BLORA, Central Java: Major floods have inundated 124 villages in Bojonegoro and Blora bordering East Java, officials said yesterday.

No fatalities were reported. The floodwater, which was as high as 70 centimeters in the worst-hit areas, came from the overflowing Bengawan Solo river.

In Blora, the flooding that began Wednesday affected six villages. In Bojonegoro, it swept through 18 villages.

Blora regency spokesman Wahyu Suharto said the authorities had prepared rubber floats and a relief center in case the situation worsened.

Suhadi, the chairman of Bojonegoro's relief aid agency, said the regency had readied 10 rubber floats in anticipation of the water rising again.

"All subdistrict chiefs have been asked to maintain alert 24 hours a day," he said. (har)