Bekasi Regency Surrounded by Flooding, 4,622 KK Affected

JAKARTA - The Bekasi Regency area in West Java was immediately surrounded by floods due to rain in a day which triggered the river water to overflow into the residents' settlements.

The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Bekasi Regency recorded that rain since Saturday (17/1) yesterday caused flooding in 16 sub-districts and 40 villages with a total of 4,622 families (KK) affected.

"The intensity of the rain is very high and has been going on for quite some time, resulting in the overflowing of Kali Gabus, Cibeet River, Citarum River, Sadang River and Ciherang River," said the Head of Emergency and Logistics of the Bekasi Regency BPBD Dodi Supriadi in Cikarang, Sunday.

He explained that the water level was reported to vary from 20 centimeters to 200 centimeters at the worst point. Heavy rain that fell evenly in the upstream and downstream areas was the main trigger for the disaster this time.

This condition is exacerbated by the poor drainage system and the overflowing of a number of large rivers and tributaries. In Babelan District, the flood submerged Buni Bakti Village which includes six villages.

The overflow of the Rawa Gabus River and the DT8 irrigation canal caused more than 1,000 households to be affected, with water levels ranging from 30 to 40 centimeters. A number of residents were forced to evacuate independently to safer places.

Meanwhile, Cabangbungin District is one of the areas with the largest number of affected people. The overflow of the Ciherang River flooded Kampung Cabang Dua in RT 07 to 18. BPBD recorded at least 1,213 KK affected by water levels reaching 50 centimeters.

Extreme flood also occurred in Karang Raharja Village, North Cikarang District. The water reportedly reached 200 centimeters, forcing a joint team from the BPBD, PMI and Brimob to evacuate residents using rubber boats.

"For areas with water levels above one meter, evacuation is the top priority. We have deployed personnel and equipment, including boats and operational vehicles," said Dodi.

A number of densely populated residential areas were also affected. In North Tambun and South Tambun, flooding inundated the Papan Mas, Graha Prima, Setia Mekar Jatimulya and Pusaka Rakyat housing with water levels reaching 60-110 centimeters.

In West Cikarang, flooding submerged the Telaga Asih area, including the Depsos Complex, Rawa Citra, Babakan and Bedeng Village. Water levels in this area range from 25 to 50 centimeters, paralyzing people's activities and cutting off access roads.

BPBD also recorded flooding in Wanasari Village, including Perum Kartika, Villa Mutiara Jaya, Regency 2, Citra Villa to Tridaya and Trias areas. Some areas are still flooded, while the impact data collection process continues.

In addition to soaking the residents' houses, the flood also has a significant impact on the agricultural sector. In Pasir Tanjung District, the overflow of the Cibeet River submerged about 45 hectares of rice fields, 7.2 hectares of fish ponds and 1.5 hectares of other crops.

At several points, residents were forced to evacuate, both to relatives' homes and to emergency evacuation sites. In Jati Baru, East Cikarang District, 10 households were recorded as having evacuated due to the overflow of the Sadang River, which flooded the settlement up to 80 centimeters.

"Some residents choose to evacuate independently. However, in high-risk locations, we still carry out evacuations to avoid unwanted things," he said.

The Head of the Bekasi Regency BPBD, Muchlis, ensured that all related elements were still on alert. Officers monitored water discharge, data collection on affected victims, and the distribution of logistical assistance in areas in need.

"We coordinate with sub-districts, villages, TNI-Polri, PMI and disaster volunteers. Our main focus is the safety of residents and the fulfillment of basic needs for affected communities," he said.

He appealed to the public, especially those living on the banks of rivers and flood-prone areas, to remain vigilant against the potential for subsequent rain and immediately report if there is an increase in water discharge.

"The weather is still quite dynamic. We ask residents to remain alert and follow the instructions of officers in the field. We will continue to monitor the latest conditions related to weather and actions from the local government," he said.