Floods hit Indonesia's main island of Java

The ongoing rainy season has sparked floods in several regions of Indonesia's main island of Java, forcing people to take refuge. Based on prediction that the peak of the rainy season is starting mid-January to mid-February, authorities have been coordinating with related institutions to prepare for the emergency. Several regions in Java, especially provinces of Central Java, West Java, Banten and East Java are prone to flood as they have been hit by rains with high intensity. Floods that had been hitting Banten province in the last few days forced the local government to extend period of emergency response to Jan. 30 for regencies of Lebak, Pandeglang, Serang and Tangerang. Three people were killed by the floods and thousands have fled their homes. On Monday, floods hit Pati regency in Central Java, forcing 30 people to evacuate. According to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BKMG), central Java will have very heavy rains of more than 500 mm during this month, especially in the area of the provincial capital city of Semarang, Solo City, areas around Mount Merapi in the border of Central Java and Yogyakarta provinces and the upstream area of Bengawan Solo River, the biggest river in the province. BMKG said that Banten, southern West Java and eastern East Java will also receive rain in high intensity.