Tears In The Middle Of Inundation: Floods And Landslides Swallowing Casualties In Trenggalek

TRENGGALEK - The flood and landslide that hit Trenggalek Regency, East Java, caused one child to die and six other residents were declared missing. Floods have occurred due to heavy rains that have flushed since Monday night, triggering the overflow of two large rivers in the area.

"One child aged six years, with the initials MH, was found dead after being carried away by the flood currents in Munjungan District," said Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, in a written statement in Jakarta, Antara, Wednesday, May 21.

The five sub-districts affected by the flood include Trenggalek, Munjungan, Pogalan, Karangan, and Gandusari. Water puddles were recorded to vary, ranging from 30 centimeters to 1 meter.

The current condition is that the water is starting to recede in Trenggalek and Munjungan sub-districts. However, in Pogalan and Karangan sub-districts, the water level still reaches 40 100 centimeters and 2040 centimeters. Meanwhile, in Krandegan Village, Gandusari District, the flood is even higher due to the broken river embankment.

In addition to flooding, landslides also occurred in Depok Village, Bendungan District. Landslides piled up three residents' houses and caused six people to disappear. As of Wednesday afternoon, the joint team was still searching for victims.

"The joint team is still searching for six residents who were buried by landslides. This search is the main focus of officers in the field," said Abdul.

BNPB noted that temporary material losses included 11 houses affected, five houses heavily damaged, five roads covered by landslide material, one embankment collapsed, and one bridge affected.

BPBD Trenggalek has established an emergency post in Trenggalek District and continues to evacuate and collect data on victims along with other relevant agencies.