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Flash floods, landslide force over 50,000 to flee homes in Indonesia


JAKARTA, Nov 22, 2009 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Flash floods in eastern part of Aceh province of Indonesia had triggered 49,401 people to flee their homes since Sunday, while a landslide in Central Java at week end had damaged over 50 houses, Health Ministry said here Monday.

Heavy rain for two consecutive days was blamed for the flash floods which had submerged the area in the province at the northern tip of Sumatra island for about 2 meter high, head of crisis center of the ministry Rustam Pakaya said.

"Most of the evacuees go to their relatives' houses," he told Xinhua over phone.

The ministry had set up several posts in some districts at East Aceh region to give medical assistance, said Pakaya.

Indonesia has been frequently hit by flash floods and landslides during the wet season which regularly take place from October to April.

Lack of forest-covered areas, which could not hold the excessive waters, is the main cause of the disaster.

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By Country: Indonesia
By Source: Xinhua News Agency
By Type: News