Jebol Embankment In Cilacap Rendam 15 Hectare Sawah, Heavy Equipment Deployed For Handling

The Cilacap Regency BPBD together with BBWS Citanduy handled the breakdown of the Jakadendadi River embankment in Cilacap, Monday (16/12/2024). (ANTARA)

The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Cilacap Regency together with the Citanduy River Basin Center (BBWS) handled the Jakadenda River embankment which collapsed in Bulakari Village due to heavy rains that had occurred since Sunday, December 15 afternoon.

"The rain that occurred since Sunday, at 14.30 WIB, caused the river flow to overflow, so that the embankment that blocked the river in Medeng Hamlet RT 05 RW 01, Bulaksari Village, collapsed 5 meters long and 2 meters wide," said Head of Emergency and Logistics Division of the Cilacap Regency BPBD Budi Setyawan in Cilacap, Monday, December 16, was confiscated by Antara.

As a result of this incident, he said, river water flowed into rice fields and submerged 15 hectares of rice fields which were preparing for the planting period with a height of 20 centimeters of water inundation.

Regarding this condition, he said that his party immediately coordinated with BBWS Citanduy to handle the broken embankment.

"The repair process has started with a decrease in heavy equipment and geobags (pishes in the form of pillows made of geotextile cloth that are sewn and filled with sand, soil, or gravel, ed.). We are targeting the work to be completed within one day," he said.

Although the puddles in the rice fields have gradually receded, he said his party is still monitoring the field to anticipate the possibility of further damage or further disasters.

In addition, he said, his party will also continue to take preventive measures to deal with extreme weather which still has the potential to occur in December 2024.

"This includes strengthening existing embankments and socializing residents to be more aware of potential flooding," said Budi.

Previously, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) had issued an early warning of extreme weather in the form of rain with moderate to heavy intensity which could be accompanied by lightning and strong winds throughout Central Java on December 12-18, 2024, potentially triggering hydrometeorological disasters such as floods and landslides.

"People who live and work in disaster-prone areas are advised to continue to be vigilant and alert, especially when heavy rains occur to anticipate impacts that can occur such as floods, landslides, strong winds, lightning strikes, and fallen trees," said Head of the BMKG Technician Group at the Tunggul Wulung Meteorological Station. Cilacap Teguh Wardoyo in Cilacap, Thursday 12 December.