Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has instructed his ministers and related officials to coordinate to assist the victims of floods and landslides that struck several regions.

The head of state has ordered the social affairs minister, home affairs minister, and health minister to coordinate with the regional administrations to assist the victims, presidential special staff Johan Budi noted at the presidential palace, here, Monday.

The president was deeply saddened by the natural disasters that killed and injured several people, particularly the residents in Central Java and West Sumatra.

Landslides and floods hit 16 districts in Central Java. The affected districts are Purworejo, Banjarnegara, Kendal, Sragen, Purbalingga, Banyumas, Sukoharjo, Kebumen, Wonosobo, Pemalang, Klaten, Magelang, Wonogiri, Cilacap, Karanganyar, and Solo.

The disasters claimed 35 lives, rendered 25 others missing, and injured 14 in Central Java.

Hundreds of houses were damaged due to the floods and landslides that inflicted material losses worth billions of rupiah.

Earlier, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency had instructed its regional branch offices to remain vigilant to likely floods and landslides following signs of climate change. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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