(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-06 20:50

JAKARTA  -- Nearly 2,000 people fled home in eastern Indonesia on Tuesday after flood-tide struck the coastal areas, the Health Ministry said here.

The head of the crisis center of the ministry Rustam Pakaya said that half-meter-high sea water entered into coastal areas in Taliwang town of West Nusa Tenggara province, triggering panic.

"About 1,638 people fled homes and took shelter in other places, " he told Xinhua.

There was no report of casualties, but the waters damaged one health facility, said Pakaya.