11 dead as cyclone hits Indonesia’s south

By Ainur Rohmah

YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia

A tropical storm has hit Indonesia’s southern Java Island, leaving 11 people dead, the country’s disaster management agency said Tuesday.

In a statement, the National Disaster Management Agency said the tropical cyclone, named Cempaka, brought heavy rains, strong winds of up to 30 nautical miles (35 miles per hour) and huge waves of up to six meters high in Java and nearby islands.

"At least 21 districts and cities in Java and Bali islands have been affected by the extreme weather," said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, the agency’s spokesman.

He said 11 people were killed as heavy rains caused floods and landslides in the Pacitan District of East Java. "Nine people were killed in landslides, while two others in floods," Nugroho said.

The rivers in Pacitan overflowed, washing away thousands of homes and forcing more than 4,000 people to flee.

Nugroho said search and rescue team are still evacuating the victims, he said.

Cyclone Cempaka is expected to dissipate from Indonesia on Wednesday, but heavy rain would still hit Java and Bali islands.