Death toll from Indonesia cyclone rises to 27

By Ainur Rohmah

YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia

A total of 27 people have been killed due to a tropical storm that hit Indonesia's southern Java Island over the past three days, the country's disaster management agency said on Thursday.

In a statement, the National Disaster Management Agency’s spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said the tropical cyclone, named Cempaka, have caused catastrophe in 28 districts and cities in Java and Bali islands.

The people were killed as heavy rains caused floods and landslides in Pacitan, Yogyakarta, Wonogiri and Wonosobo, Nugroho said. "18 people were killed in landslides, while 9 others in floods.”

He said millions of people were affected by the cyclone and economic losses are estimated to reach trillions of rupiah.

"Cempaka cyclone is now away from Indonesia and its intensity has reduced," the agency’s spokesman added.

Agency for Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysics has issued a warning to the public to remain alert in the wake of another cyclone, named Dahlia, which is now approaching the southern part of Sumatra and the western part of Java islands.

Nugroho said heavy rains, strong winds and high waves would potentially hit those regions in the next 24 hours.

"People have been advised to be alert to extreme weather. The threat of floods, landslides and tornadoes is increasing," he added.