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flood and lightning storm killed at least three people in Banyumas regency, Central Java, during high intensity rain in the area over the past three days.

The victims were Silan, 33, who was swept away by the flood in Watuagung village, Tambak district, Slamet Badi, 55, and Musirah, 58, residents of Wlahar Kulon village in Patikraja district who were struck by lightning while on their way to their rice fields on Tuesday.

“Heavy downpour had taken place since Saturday evening and caused several floods,” Banyumas Disaster Response chief Heriana Ady said in a press conference on Tuesday.

Floods have inundated at least 500 houses as well as numerous plots of paddy fields in the Tambak and Sumpiuh districts. Hundreds of people had been evacuated from their homes due to the torrential waters, Heriana said. The most severe flood, which reached up to 2 meters high, was in Prembun village.

Local authorities had warned residents to stay on alert due to the heavy rain, Heriana added.

Sumpiuh village resident Saridin, 45, said floods came and went and disrupted the livelihood and activities of the residents. He urged the Banyumas administration to focus on evacuating residents and to take preventive actions by repairing the river walls and by building a dam as a water catchment.