Floods In Poliwali Mandar Sulbar, 90 Houses Are Submerged

JAKARTA - Floods hit two villages in Mapili District, Poliwali Mandar Regency, West Sulawesi Province, on Saturday, September 4, at around 18.30 local time.

Plt. Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center Abdul Muhari said that the flood submerged 90 houses in Landikanusuang Village and West Rappang.

"A total of 90 houses or 330 people in two villages were flooded with a height ranging from 20 to 100 centimeters," said Abdul Muhari in his statement, Sunday, September 5.

Abdul Muhari said that the flood was triggered by high intensity rain so that the Andau, Kanusuang and Salu Kadundung rivers overflowed.

The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Poliwali Mandar Regency recorded 56 families (194 people) were affected in Landikanusuang Village, while 34 families (146 people) were in West Rappang.

"Temporary data on the affected hamlets in Landikanusuang Village are in Pulluddung, Tondo Ratte, Landi and Seppong hamlets. There are no reports of casualties due to this incident," he said.

In addition to houses, floods also have an impact on material losses in the residential, public facilities and plantation sectors. Meanwhile, 2 units of the bridge were observed to have eroded the foundation, 2 units of the suspension bridge were in danger of breaking.

BPBD also recorded that 1 unit of the mosque was submerged. Meanwhile, in the plantation sector, 21 hectares of cocoa plantations and 100 hectares of rice fields were submerged.

BPBD Poliwali Mandar Regency has made efforts to handle emergencies, such as alerting if needed to evacuate residents. In addition, BPBD together with the TNI, Polri, Tagana, volunteers and agencies at the sub-district and village levels are cleaning up the environment filled with flood waste.

"Although the flood has receded, the local BPBD is on standby to anticipate further flooding. This is due to the current heavy rainy weather conditions. Forecasts at the sub-district level, light rain is observed to likely occur tonight," he said.

Based on the BMKG's early weather forecast, the Poliwali Mandar area has the potential for heavy rain accompanied by lightning or lightning and strong winds. The potential for rain is still possible in this area tomorrow.

Abdul Muhari appealed to the public to be ready and alert to potential wet hydrometeorological hazards, such as floods, flash floods and landslides.

"Some areas in Indonesia have entered the rainy season from September to November 2021, including West Sulawesi Province. Citizens' vigilance at the community or village level is needed to jointly analyze the potential risks in the region," he concluded.