Floods damage hundreds of houses

BANYUMAS: Hundreds of houses were left damaged in several parts of Central Java due to floods brought about by heavy downpour since Saturday night and strong winds.

No fatalities were reported but around 2,000 houses in Cilacap and Banjarnegara, Purbalingga and Banyumas regencies were damaged. Hundreds of families were reported to have taken refuge with relatives.

"The floods usually last for two or three days. But we're prepared for the worst and have stored rice and medicine for aid," Dangir Mulyadi, who heads Cilacap's flood control office, said.

Banjarnegara administration spokesman Wahyono said that the administration had given between Rp 1 million to Rp 1.5 million in financial aid to the victims. "What is most concerning for us is the threat of landslides," he said. - JP