Bojonegoro Flood Inflict Rp10.3 Bln in Loses

Bojonegoro, E Java (ANTARA) - Floods that swept through Bojonegoro district, East Java, due to the overflowing of Bengawan Solo river over the past few days have caused about Rp10.3 billion in losses, a spokesman said. The material losses mostly originated from flooded rice fields which covered an area of 3,202.5 hectares, Chief of the Bojonegara District Natural Disaster Mitigation Board (BPBD) Kasiyanto said on Sunday. "The damage to the 3,202.5 hectares of paddy fields could be classified into light, moderate and heavy damage," he said. The 3,202.5 hectares of paddy fields were located at 32 villages in the subdistricts of Kanor, Baureno, Kapas, Balen, Trucuk and Kota. Kanor and Baureno were the worst hit sub-districts where about 2,000 hectares of paddy fields were damaged, he said. "The amount of losses caused by damage to infrastructures and facilities such as roads are smaller than that caused by damage to rice fields," he said. Kasiyanto said he did not know whether the farmers whose rice fields were damaged by the floods would receive assistance from the government. "I don't know whether or not they will receive assistance," he said. He said although the floods that affected several parts of the district had subsided the local people should keep a watch on other floods caused by the overflowing of the longest river in Java. (*)