3-Day Flood Disrupts Padarincang Serang Residents' Activities

SERANG - Flooding that lasted for three days submerged Sukamaju Village, Citasuk Village, Padarincang District, Serang Regency, Banten, paralyzing the activities of local residents.

One resident, Jubaedin, said this time the flood was different from usual because the water puddles lasted quite a long time since Wednesday (17/12) and had not shown signs of receding.

"Now it has been several days without receding. Usually if the flood is in the morning, the morning will have receded, but this is not," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, December 18.

Based on monitoring at the location, the water level varies from 30 centimeters to one meter. The flood is suspected to have occurred due to the overflow of the Cikalumpang River which is not far from the residents' settlement.

Jubaedin explained that the condition was exacerbated by the occurrence of landslides in the upstream of the river, so that the flow of water flowing downstream increased significantly.

"The water is from the overflow of Cikalumpang. It just so happens that there was a landslide, so the reservoir ran here," he said.

As a result of the flood, hundreds of residents from three Neighborhood Units (RT) were forced to evacuate to the local Elementary School (SD), although some other residents chose to stay in their respective homes.

In addition to hindering mobility and daily activities, flooding also has an impact on the agricultural sector of residents. A number of rice fields are reported to be submerged in water so that they are threatened with not being able to be worked on.

"My rice is also submerged now, so it can't be worked on," he said.

Based on data collected from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Serang Regency on Friday morning, there were six sub-districts affected by flooding, including Padarincang, Gunungsari, Cinangka, Ciomas, Ciruas, and Kramatwatu.

The Serang Regency BPBD also appealed to the public who were in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant against the potential of hydrometeorological disasters, given the high intensity of rain.