Ten dead and seven injured in Central Java floods
Ten dead and seven injured in Central Java floods
PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): At least 10 people died and
seven other were injured in rainstorms and floods in Central Java
over the past few days, officials said yesterday.
The worst hit regencies are Banyumas, Cilacap, Kebumen and the
capital city Semarang, where heavy rains have been falling since
Friday.
In Banyumas, Cilacap and Kebumen, floods have inundated more
than 150 villages, forcing thousands of families to evacuate to
safer ground.
Yesterday, heavy rains in Banyumas forced several hundred
people to flee their flooded homes just hours after they had
returned from temporary accommodation.
Officials handling the crisis said four people died in
Banyumas, two in Kebumen, one in Cilacap and three in Semarang.
Last night the water was showing no sign of receding as heavy
rains continued in Banyumas, Kebumen and Cilacap.
In Banyumas, local officials said an estimated 4,000 hectares
of paddy had been destroyed and about the same area of ready-for-
harvesting soybeans. More than 1,000 houses were flooded and
5,000 people evacuated.
"We have started a public kitchen and dropped in medical
supplies. There is no reason to worry about food shortages or
health problems," Banyumas regent Djoko Sudantoko said.
He said floods in Banyumas have caused losses of about Rp 700
million (US$297,000).
In Cilacap, thousands of houses were flooded by more than a
meter and a half of water. Many people were seen using rafts to
salvage their belongings.
Residents said prices have soared since the heavy rain first
hit the southern coastal town Thursday. Transportation has been
disrupted as many roads are impassable.
In Kebumen, people staying in temporary shelters in stricken
areas have complained of skin rashes and respiratory problems.
In Semarang, three people were killed and seven others injured
in southern suburbs.
On Jl. Sinabung, a 12-meter-long brick wall at a factory
collapsed, crushing to death two people in an adjoining house.
Also in the same area, a landslide buried alive a 16-year-old boy
and injured a family of seven.
Semarang Mayor Soetrisno Soeharto told The Jakarta Post
yesterday that the government is collecting data on the losses.
"The government also wants to give financial help to the
hospitalized victims," he said. (wah/har/pan)