Flood Sweeps Binjai City in North Sumatra, BNPB Readies Evacuation

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Heavy rainfall that swept Binjai North Sumatra, on Sunday, September 8, 2024, caused three rivers to overflow and flood to inundate several residential areas. These rivers are the Bingai River, Mencirim River, and Bangkatan River.

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) mentioned the height of the flood varies from 30 to 100 centimeters. 

“The flood inundates two districts in Binjai City, namely South Binjai and Binjai Kota Districts, covering four villages in Rambung Barat, Binjai Estate, Setia, and Kartini,” said the BNPB Data, Information, and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, in a written statement on Tuesday, September 10.

According to the report received by BNPB, the flood affected 461 households, or about 2,231 people. The agency currently still calculating the damages caused by the flood. 

Muhari said Binjai City Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) is handling the situation by conducting a quick response in affected locations, working with village officials to evacuate residents, and collecting the data about required assistance.

“BPBD also installed public kitchen posts in Jalan Jambi, Rambung Barat Village, to support the affected residents’ logistics needs,” he said. 

 Flood has yet to fully recede in Binjai City. Muhari urged residents to remain vigilant about a possible rise in flood water levels if the rain persisted. “BNPB advises residents in the affected region to follow the instructions from local officials and be ready to evacuate to safer places if the water level rises again,” he said.

IRSYAN HASYIM

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