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)