HUNDREDS OF HOUSES INUNDATED IN SEMARANG

Semarang, Central Java, June 9 (ANTARA) - Hundreds of houses at Mlatiharjo, Pandean Lor, and other areas located near the Semarang East Flood Canal River, were inundated up to one meter high.

The floods invaded hundreds of houses as the river overflowed following incessant rains and strong wind since Monday evening, Suhardi (46), a local resident of Mlatiharjo, said here on Tuesday.

The floods also caused traffic congestions because some roads were inundated.

At Mlati Baru, hundreds of houses were inundated by floodwaters reaching a height of up to 50 centimeters, while at Pandean Lor the floodwater level was one meter high.

Almost all houses in the two areas were flooded, but local inhabitants decided not to evacuate to higher ground.

"The flood this time is the worst ever in this area," Suhardi said.

Meanwhile, early this month, floods also invaded hundreds of houses and farmland in Kawunganten and Bantarsari sub districts, Cilacap District, Central Java.

Some 240 houses in Kalijeruk village, Kawunganten sub district, were inundated by floods reaching a height of around 80 centimeters.

The floodwaters also submerged rice fields measuring 110 hectares and 1,200-meter long rural road, Winarno said.

"The flood even destroyed the three-meter long Gunung Sapi irrigation dam," he said.

Citembong, Kedungwadas, and Binangun villages in Bantarasari sub district were also affected by the floods.

Three houses were seriously damaged and six others slightly damaged by the flood in Citembong village. Foundations of two bridges were damaged at the village because of the natural disaster.

Floods at Kedungwadas village submerge 149 houses and 3.5-hectare farming areas. A concrete bridge has collapsed and a rural road has been damaged in the disaster.

At Binangun village, the flood damaged one house and cut off a suspended bridge, as well as submerged 15 hectares of agricultural areas, he said.

The floods also affected a number of public facilities, fish ponds, cattle and poultry farmings, and damaged household equipment, he said.

Material losses inflicted by the floods at Kawunganten were estimated to be worth around Rp150 million, and at Bantarsari Rp294,880,000.