Floods force many from homes

BANYUMAS, Central Java: Thousands of residents in six districts in the regencies of Banyumas and Cilacap were forced to flee to higher ground after their homes were inundated following two days of heavy rains.

One person died after he was swept away by floodwater in Gumelar district, Banyumas, while financial losses amounted to dozens of million of rupiah, Antara reported on Wednesday.

Traffic connecting Banyumas and Purwokerto was cut off for hours.

In addition, it was reported that 750 hectares of ripe crops were destroyed by the flooding in Cilacap. The worst-hit villages were Sikampuh and Gentasari.

Saddened farmers said they were afraid that food shortages would become even more acute because of the damaged crops. (45)