TEMPO.CO, Brebes - Thousands of houses in Brebes, Central Java, were flooded by the overflow of Pemali River, on Monday, February 12. The biggest river flow, after being flooded by water shipment from South Brebes on Monday morning.

At least there are three flooded sub-districts, namely Jatibarang, Warnasari, and Brebes. The flood entered the residents' houses since 06:00 at local time.

Head of Brebes Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Eko Andalas could not determine whether the floods are due to bursts or just an overflow of Pemali River. BPBD could not check directly to the dike because of the difficult terrain.

Currently, Eko said, what BPBD can do is to evacuate people. According to him, access to the dike is still hampered by a fairly strong current. “The current is very strong, to break through the stream to reach the dike is very difficult,” he said.

Allegedly, the source of the overflow was in the dike of the Terlangu Village. Last year, it also collapsed and made thousands of houses were flooded.

According to one Terlangu resident, Raditya (33), the current overflow of Pemali River was stronger than last year. “It looks like it broke the dike,” he said.

Pemaron resident, Masrukhi (45), said the overflow of Pemali River went to the village since morning. He guessed that, from the Pemali River, the water went into Kaligondang, Buaran. “From there, then finally it got here,” he said.

MUHAMMAD IRSYAM FAIZ