Six drowned in E. Nusa Tenggara

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Typoon Phil claimed at least six lives in East Nusa Tenggara as it swept through eastern Indonesia in late December, an official said yesterday.

The victims drowned in floods in the typoon that damaged many houses and food crops in the province, said Jack Weri Wanda, chief of the East Nusa Tenggara office of social services.

Three bodies were found in Kupang, two in Manggarai and one in Sikka, Wanda said.

He said the report on the deadly typoon came somewhat late from regents across East Nusa Tenggara largely due to the poor means of communication.

"Many houses and food crops are damaged but residents can manage the situation without government intervention," he was quoted by Antara as saying. (pan)