Flooding hits Denpasar, Surabaya

Flooding hits Denpasar, Surabaya

Antara, Denpasar/Surabaya

Flooding caused by heavy rain over the last few days killed one and inundated dozens of houses in Denpasar, Bali, while 3,000 hectares of paddy fields were flood damaged in Pacitan, East Java.

The head of Denpasar city administration's public relations office, Erwin Suryadarma, said on Tuesday that losses caused by flooding had not been determined as yet following heavy rain on Monday.

"Denpasar Mayor Anak Agung Ngurah Puspayoga will immediately take action after receiving a flood report, including material losses and victims," he said.

In Ubung Kaja, West Denpasar, flooding not only inundated houses but also washed away three motorcycles and damaged part of a temple.

One woman, Ni Kade Sri Wahyuni, 21, died after being swept away by floodwater while riding a motorcycle with a friend in Antasura, Denpasar. Her body was found 100 meters from the scene.

In Pacitan regency, East Java, flooding has ruined paddy on 3,000 hectares of land, with the regental administration estimating losses at millions of rupiah.

The flooding occurred following heavy rain for two straight days, inundating villages in the regency and destroying the just- planted paddy.

In the worst-hit villages of Mentoro, Purworejo, Sirnoboyo, Sukoarjo, Kembang and Sinoboyo, floodwater reached between one and two meters deep. No casualties have been reported in these areas.

"The floodwater has started to subside and houses are free of flooding," said Suyitno, a worker at the coordination post at the Pacitan regent's house.

Fear of future floods remain high after Eddy Waluyo, head of Meteorology and Geophysics Agency in Tanjung Perak, Surabaya, predicted that the entire south coast of East Java -- including Banyuwangi, Blitar, Malang, Pacitan and Tulungagung -- would experience heavy rain until the end of December.