MINISTER OBSERVES CONDITIONS IN FLOOD-HIT KARAWANG

Karawang, West Java, March 27 (ANTARA) - Communication and Informatics Minister Tifatul Sembiring on Saturday observed conditions in flood-hit Karawang District, West Java.

Minister Sembiring used a rubber boat and talked to flood victims during the visit.

He reminded them to take care of their health while staying in emergency tents.

Many parts of Karawang District have been inundated following the overflowing of the Citarum River.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had instructed ministers to visit disaster-hit regions and help the victims.

Minister Sembiring on the occasion presented six tons of rice, 200 boxes of instant noddles, 300 boxes of mineral water, to flood victims through the local authorities.

The minister said a number of cellular operators such as Telkomsel, Telkom, XL, Indosat, Axis, and Smart also provided food to flood victims.

Meanwhile, the floods have forced 65,000 people in Karawang, West Java, to evacuate, Karawang district head Dadang Muchtar said on Friday (March 26).

"Based on the latest report we received on Friday, 65,000 people have been forced to evacuate," Dadang told visiting Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Agung Laksono and Social Affairs Minister Salim Segaf Al Jufrie.

The two ministers inspected flood-affected areas in Karawang on Friday to get first hand information about the disaster which was caused by the overflowing the Citarum river.

Dadang said the floods had inundated 16,778 houses, 879 hectares of rice field, some 35 villages, and 28 schools.