Irian Jaya town isolated

NABIRE, Irian Jaya: This provincial town has virtually become a no-flight zone for the past two weeks due to a telecommunications breakdown that makes it impossible for any aircraft to land.

Telephone communication has also ceased, Antara reported on Saturday.

The news agency said lightning hit the transmission system of the state telecommunications company here two weeks ago.

Regent AP Youw said on Saturday the town relied heavily on air transportation to link it to other towns in the province. National domestic carrier Merpati Nusantara's Fokker 27 and Twin Otter aircraft were prevented from serving incoming and outgoing travelers.

There has been no report of repairs conducted by the state telecommunications company.