One dies in heavy storms

One dies in heavy storms

PURBALINGGA, Central Java: Storms on Thursday claimed one
victim and destroyed hundreds of houses in Purwonegoro district.

Six fishermen were missing after a typhoon caused their
fishing boat to capsize in the Java Sea.

Victim Mantori, 45, of Meraden village, was killed when a
coconut tree collapsed on his house.

Meanwhile, hundreds of houses were destroyed in Banjeran,
Bojongsari, Slinga, Arenan, Sidanegara, and Karangmanyar.

The storm swept across the villages for several hours on
Thursday evening. Purbalingga regent Soelarno said villagers left
homeless by the catastrophe were staying with their relatives in
nearby villages.

Meanwhile, six Tanjungsari fishermen, including Darsuki and
his two sons, went missing on Thursday when their fishing boat
capsized during a heavy storm in Rembang in Central Java.

Tanjungsari village chief Dwi Supandi said he had deployed
about 50 villagers to search for the men. He feared they had
drowned.

"We have combed the coast along the Rembang waters through to
the Madura waters, but we still cannot determine their
whereabouts," Dwi said on Friday.

In Ciamis, West Java, thousands were forced to flee when at
least 660 houses in 64 villages were flooded in recent days. At
least five bridges and 2,868 hectares of paddy fields were also
damaged.

Antara reported the disaster caused at least Rp 4.1 billion in
losses.

In Pusparahayu district in Tasikmalaya, nearly 500 people fled
their homes as flooding covered the village. (45/har)