Trenggalek Sets Hydrometeorological Disaster Preparedness Status, Two Residents Died Buried By Landslides

TRENGGALEK - The Trenggalek Regency Government has officially set a hydrometeorological disaster alert status following the increasing extreme weather that has hit the East Java region in recent times.

The Trenggalek Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) reported a series of floods and landslides in the past week, which even caused casualties in a number of sub-districts.

The Chief Executive of the Trenggalek BPBD Winai Atmono said that four natural disaster incidents occurred in the last two days and were spread across three different areas.

"Two residents died and two others we are still looking for after being buried by landslide material in Depok Village, Bendungan District," said Mikhami, Sunday, November 2, quoted from Antara.

According to him, high rainfall triggered landslides at several points, including in Dawuhan Village and Dongko District, which resulted in a number of houses being affected and closed transportation routes.

Around 100 families were forced to flee to a safe location until the situation was deemed stable.

In the Trenggalek sub-district, the overflow of the Brangkal River triggered flooding that submerged dozens of houses in Ngares and Dawuhan villages. A total of 165 residents were affected, although there were no reports of casualties from the flood incident.

"We have sent heavy equipment to penetrate access that is covered by landslides, and the team in the field also continues to help affected residents," he said.

In an effort to strengthen preparedness, BPBD increases coordination with sub-districts as well as volunteer networks in vulnerable areas such as hills and riverbanks. Early monitoring also continues to be intensified to minimize the possibility of additional casualties.

"We urge residents to remain vigilant, especially avoiding steep slopes or rivers when it rains high intensities", saidcinati.

Previously, BMKG Juanda had issued a weather warning regarding the potential for heavy rain accompanied by strong winds in the southern region of East Java in this week. This condition has the potential to increase the risk of hydrometeorological disasters such as floods, landslides, and tornadoes.