River in Sukabumi Overflows after Banten Earthquake; BMKG Explains

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Floods hit Sukabumi Regency, West Java, shortly after the 5.3-magnitude earthquake, which was centered in southwest Bayah of Banten, jolted the area at 17:02 hours on Sunday, October 9, 2022. The flooding was reportedly due to the overflow of the Cibareno River which is located on the border of Sukabumi and Banten's Lebak.

Two houses and one factory of tofu in Cisolok District, Sukabumi, were washed away by the strong floodwater.

A forecaster from the BMKG of Banten Region 2, Septina, confirmed that the earthquake did not trigger the flood. “The flood has nothing to do with the earthquake. The flood was caused by moderate-heavy rain that occurred from noon to the afternoon,” said Septina via a text message on Monday, October 10, 2022.

Septina explained that on Sunday, rain with moderate to heavy intensity accompanied by strong winds occurred in most areas of Banten Province from afternoon to evening and caused overflows of the Cibareno River, Cisiih River, Cimadur River, and Cicantra River. The flood submerged hundreds of houses and rice fields, as well as cut two bridges.

In other parts of Banten Province, hail and strong winds occurred in Pamulang and Serpong. “Based on the index parameters from the weather modeling used by BBMKG Region II South Tangerang, there is still potential for extreme weather in Banten Province for the next seven days,” said the forecaster.

MARIA FRANSISCA LAHUR

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo in Google News