16 Killed as Landslides, Floods Hit Central Java, Indonesia
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Landslides and floods striking Central Java province of western Indonesia have left 16 people dead and 20 injured, disaster agency said on Saturday.
The natural disasters have taken place in the districts of Brebes and Purbalingga since days ago, spokesman of national disaster management agency Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said, Xinhua news agency reported.
In Pasir Panjang village of Brebes district, search and rescue operation resumed on Saturday, nine corpses have been discovered as the landslides injured 14 farmers, the spokesman revealed.
Floods also hit several villages in the district, leaving three people dead, said Sutopo.
In another district of Purbalingga, landslides killed four people and injured six others, he said.
"People are warned to be alert as heavy downpours are forecast to persist," the spokesman told Xinhua in a text message.
Some areas in nearby West Java province have also suffered from floods, but there is no immediate report of casualty or damages.
President Joko Widodo has ordered to undertake operation to handle the natural disaster and emergency relief efforts as quickly as possible, according to the chairman of the national disaster management agency Willem Rampangilei.
Indonesia has been frequently stricken by floods and landslides during heavy rains.
