Grobogan Central Java Banjir Bandang, Changing The Function Of Forest Land To Rice Fields Is The Cause

JAKARTA - There were flash floods in two villages of Klambu Subdistrict, Grobogan Regency, Central Java Province on Wednesday, March 31 at 23.30 WIB.

The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Grobogan Regency noted that this flash flood was triggered by the high intensity of rain that flushed Klambu District and its surroundings.

"The rain flushed the Klambu sub-district and its surroundings at 20.30 - 23.30 WIB," said Head of BPBD of Grobogan Regency, Endang Sulistyoningsih in a written statement, Friday, April 2.

However, Endang said that flash floods are not only suspected of heavy rains. He suspects that this disaster was also caused by the conversion of land from forest to rice fields.

"Apart from heavy rains, the condition of the hilly land which has changed its function from heterogeneous forest to area of seasonal crop rice fields is a factor suspected of causing the disaster," he said.

Endang said, at least 1,900 houses, 3 government offices, 4 schools, 1 Islamic boarding school, 2 mosques, and 12 prayer rooms in Klambu Village were submerged in water. The water level is about 40-200 centimeters.

Then, there are 500 houses submerged in puddles in Penganten Village with a water level of 40-150 centimeters. According to the provisional data collection, there were approximately 20 houses that were damaged in the area.

"According to reports received on Thursday, April 1 at 21.15 WIB, there were no fatalities in the incident," said Endang.

Residents who previously fled, now have returned to their homes. The floods have also receded, but some locations are still covered with piles of mud and fallen tree remains.

The Grobogan Regency BPBD together with related parties helped clean up the mud, including debris that was carried by the flash floods and also repaired the damage.