FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 02/02 - INDONESIA (15 February)
Heavy monsoon rains at the end of January resulted in landslides and flooding which caused enormous damage to housing and infrastructure, and also destroyed hundreds of hectares of cropland, particularly in the islands of Java and Sumatra. Thousands of people fled their homes and an increasing number of casualties is reported. A high alert has been issued by the Government for possible further downpours. Emergency relief is being provided to the affected population. Planting of the 2001/02 main rice crop was about to be completed when the heavy rains began, and a provisonal assessment of damage would indicate that some 495 000 tonnes of paddy have been lost. Losses of a lesser extent have been incurred to maize and soya crops.