Flash Flood from the Slope of Mount Slamet Hits Villages in Karangreja

PURBALINGGA - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Purbalingga Regency, Central Java, is dealing with the impact of flash floods that hit two villages on the slopes of Mount Slamet due to heavy rain since Friday (23/1).

The Head of the BPBD Purbalingga Regency, Revon Hapinindriat, said that flash floods hit Serang Village and Kutabawa Village, Karangreja District, after the river overflowed due to high rainfall intensity.

As a result of the incident, he said, access to the district road to Gunung Malang Village and Bambangan Village was isolated because it was covered by flood material.

According to him, this condition has caused hundreds of residents to be directly affected and some of them have been forced to evacuate to safer places.

"The temporary data of refugees in Kutabawa Village, Bambangan Hamlet RT 019 RW 05 is 14 houses or 21 heads of households with 79 people, and RT 017 RW 05 is 10 heads of households with 31 people. The total refugees are 31 heads of households or 110 people," he said as reported by ANTARA, Saturday, January 24.

He said, BPBD Purbalingga has carried out monitoring and initial handling at the scene.

According to him, all affected residents have been evacuated, while it is reported that the Bambangan River bridge was completely broken due to the onslaught of flash floods.

In addition, he said, heavy rain accompanied by strong winds and power outages in the Gunung Malang area on Friday (23/1) night caused communication to be hampered.

According to him, BPBD Purbalingga is currently coordinating with relevant parties to bring heavy equipment to open isolated road access and distribute logistical assistance for affected residents.

"Today the opening of road access and the cleaning of flood materials was carried out together with the joint team," said Revon.

Meanwhile, in Banyumas Regency, heavy rain also caused the overflow of muddy river water in the Kali Pangkon River, the Telaga Sunyi tourist attraction, and the Kalipelus River, Limpakuwus Village, Sumbang District, which is on the slopes of Mount Slamet.

Data from the Banyumas Regency BPBD stated that the mud flood occurred since Saturday (24/1), around 01.00 WIB, with an estimated water height of 70-90 centimeters.

The Banyumas Regency BPBD together with the Sumbang District Leadership Consultative Unit (Muspika) and the regional administration have visited the location to monitor the current condition.

Residents are also urged not to temporarily carry out activities in the river, especially in tourist areas.

As of Saturday (24/1) morning, the condition of the overflow of water in the Kali Pangkon River was reported to have receded and there were no reports of damage to settlements or casualties, considering the location of the river flow is relatively far from the residential area of residents.