Reviewing Floods In Demak, Central Java, Minister Of PUPR Basuki Hadimuljono Disbursed These Efforts

Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono accompanied by the Director General of Water Resources of the Ministry of PUPR Bob Arthur Lombgia inspected the flood locations in Grobogan and Demak Regencies, Central Java, today.

Heavy rains that occurred in Grobogan and Demak Regencies, Central Java, since a few days ago resulted in the breakdown of several embankments in the Tuntang and Wulan rivers. The two rivers are no longer able to accommodate water discharge due to the high intensity of rain.

"We immediately deployed a number of heavy equipment to deal with the broken embankment. God willing, in 2-3 days the broken embankment can be closed. To reduce inundation, we have also deployed a number of pumps," Basuki said as quoted from the official Instagram account @kemenpupr, Monday, February 12.

Meanwhile, for flood management in Kemiri Village, Gubug District, Grobogan Regency, the PUPR Ministry has deployed four (4) excavators, two dozers, pumps, 3,000 geobags, 250 shells of bamboo, 30 glueballs, geobag filling, and the construction of river runoff channels.

"Untuk penanganan banjir di Jembatan Jalan Raya Gubug, Kementerian PUPR mengerahkan dua ekskavator, pompa alkon, 1.000 geobag, pengisian geobag, 400 menguntak bamboo dan 125 sesek bamboo," tuturnya.

Meanwhile, for handling in Pilangwetan Village, Kebonagung District, Demak Regency, the PUPR Ministry sent short arm excavators, 100 bamboo sticks and 10 bamboo segs.

As for handling the broken embankment in the Wulan River, Ketanjung Village, Karanganyar District, Demak Regency, the Ministry of PUPR assisted by PT Wijaya Karya (Persero) Tbk (WIKA) sent amphibious excavators, long arm excavators, two bamboo and geobag cercuk trucks.

"For long-term flood control, the Ministry of PUPR will normalize and strengthen the 18.5 kilometer (km) embankment which will begin in April this year," he added.

For your information, the floods that hit Demak, Central Java, had lasted for five days without showing any signs of receding.

This flood was triggered by the breakdown of the Wulan River embankment which submerged 38 villages in 7 sub-districts and caused the paralysis of the national road with a water level of up to 1 meter (m).

Until now, the number of refugees continues to grow, namely exceeding 21 thousand people spread across 60 locations from Demak to Kudus.

In a flood condition in Karanganyar District, Demak, on the fifth day, the Demak-Kudus pantura route was still completely paralyzed with flood water levels exceeding 1 m.

The increase in the water discharge of the Wulan River exacerbated the flooding flowing from the collapse of the embankment. As a result, the water discharge in settlements continues to increase.