Demak Flood, Number of Refugees Becomes 2,839 Souls

DEMAK - The number of residents affected by flooding in Demak Regency, Central Java Province, continues to increase. As of Saturday (4/4) at 09.00 WIB, a total of 2,839 people were displaced at a number of points due to flooding caused by high rainfall intensity and overflowing the Tuntang River, which also caused several embankments to break in the affected areas.

This was revealed by the Head of the Demak Regency BPBD, Agus Sukiyono, S.Ip, MM, through his statement, Saturday (4/4).

"This evacuation location is at the Babu Rohim Mosque in Dukuh Solondoko with 200 people, the Rodhotul Janah Mosque in Dukuh Solowere has 500 people, then the Guntur District Office has 119 people, Tanggul Gobang has 400 people, as well as a number of village halls, mosques, madrasahs and other residents' houses which until today are still in the ongoing data collection. Several refugees are reported to be in a sick condition and are currently receiving further treatment from the local health service," he explained.

Agus added, the rapid field survey development showed that the flood had an impact on 8 villages in 4 sub-districts, namely Guntur, Karangtengah, Wonosalam and Kebonagung. The breached embankment occurred in Guntur District, specifically in Trimulyo Village at two points in Dukuh Solondoko along approximately 30 meters and Dukuh Solowere along approximately 10 meters, as well as in Sidoharjo Village along approximately 15 meters. This condition caused the water to be quite high, especially in Trimulyo Village and Ploso Village with a height of 100-150 centimeters (cm), and caused the road access in Trimulyo Village to be inaccessible for small vehicles.

"In addition, water runoff also occurred in a number of areas such as Turitempel Village and Sumberejo Village in Guntur District, as well as Solowire Village and Sarimulyo Village in Kebonagung District, although the conditions in the area were reported to be relatively safe. In Sidoharjo Village, the flow of water from the breached embankment flooded the rice fields of the residents," added Agus, who is also the Acting Head of Demak PP Kasatpol.

The flood disaster in Demak became the attention of the Head of BNPB, Lieutenant General TNI Dr. Suharyanto, S.Sos., M.M. Even though he was in Manado in the context of handling the 7.6 magnitude earthquake, the Head of BNPB on Friday (3/4) evening immediately ordered his staff to coordinate further with the BPBD of Central Java Province, to identify the needs of emergency handling. In addition, BNPB personnel were also immediately ordered to go to the affected location to provide assistance in accelerating emergency handling of floods in Demak Regency.