Jakarta. Tropical Cyclone Cempaka has caused severe flooding, landslides and strong winds, especially on Java Island, resulting in the death of at least 19 people, an official said on Wednesday (29/11).

National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesman Sutopo Nugroho said of 28 districts in Java and Bali that have been affected, Yogyakarta, Wonogiri in Central Java and Pacitan and Ponorogo in East Java were hit the hardest.

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said the cyclone developed on the southern part of Java Island on Monday night.

Airports in Yogyakarta and Solo, Central Java, were forced to close on Tuesday after they were inundated due to heavy rain.

Further flooding occurred in several districts on Wednesday, Sutopo said in a statement.

"Flooding and landslides have caused the death of 19 people … four of them died in floods and 15 others died due to landslides," he said.

Several hectares of agriculture land and hundreds of houses and public facilities have been inundated. The simultaneous disasters have also resulted in trillions of rupiah in economic losses, Sutopo said.

Search and rescue operations are being conducting to find victims still buried by landslides in several areas.

"Cyclone Cempaka is expected to leave Indonesian territory on Thursday. However, its impact will continue with heavy rains and huge waves in parts of Java and Bali," Sutopo said. He urged residents to remain alert and prepared for any eventualities.