Over 4,200 Houses Flooded After Extreme Downpours Hit West Java's Cirebon

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Cirebon Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) recorded at least 4,269 houses flooded due to the extreme downpours that hit several areas in the region since Saturday, July 6, 2024. Over 16,310 people or 5,443 households were affected by the flood, BPBD reported. 

Head of the Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center at the National Disaster Management Agency, Abdul Muhari, said the flooding was caused by overflows of several major rivers in the regions, namely Wangan Ayam, Pembuang Posong, Winong, Jonggol, and Sriganala.

"(The flood) was triggered by heavy rainfall which lasted for quite a long time," said Abdul in a written statement on Sunday, July 7, 2024.

The flood in Cirebon inundated houses up to 30 to 40 centimeters high and submerged 15 hectares of rice fields.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency or BMKG forecasted heavy rain for the next few days. Abdul said BPBD has coordinated with relevant institutions to assess the impact of flooding in the region and delivered aid to affected residents. 

"The mitigation efforts are handled by a joint team of BPBD, the military, and the National Police,” he said.

Abdul said the team supplied thousands of the evacuated residents with ready-to-made food as those were the most urgent. 

The latest information on Sunday night revealed the flood had not subsided completely. "BNPB (the national disaster agency) urges residents who live near the flood-risked rivers to evacuate to safer places as soon as possible,” Abdul concluded..

M. RIO ALPIN PULUNGAN

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