Flash Flood Lands Malang Regency, 2 Residents Died

Mud and garbage material carried by flash floods on the Giripuro highway, Malang Regency, East Java, Friday (5/11)/DOK VIA BNPB

JAKARTA - Flash floods hit Malang Regency, East Java. This disaster occurred after heavy rains fell in the area since Thursday, November 4 afternoon.

In addition to extreme weather factors, flooding in Malang is thought to have occurred due to blockages in the form of wood waste material and bamboo piles upstream of the Susuh River up to a height of approximately 20 meters.

"The flash flood, according to a report from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Malang Regency, has caused the death of two residents and is currently still in the identification stage," said Plt. Head of BNPB Disaster Data and Communication Center Abdul Muhari in his statement, Friday, November 5.

Abdul Muhari said that currently, flash floods have had an impact on four villages that are included in three sub-districts. These include Tegalgondo Village in Karangploso District, Sidomulyo Village in Batu District, Tawangargo Village and Giripurno Village in Bumiaji District.

"One unit of the bridge was reported to be heavily damaged and the road access was disturbed by mud puddles carried by flash floods," he said.

BPBD Malang Regency coordinates with cross-related agencies and conducts a quick review in the context of accelerating the handling of banjir bandang disasters.

In addition, the team also worked together to clean the mud material that covered roads in Sidomulyo Village and flower hill roads in Batu City area using heavy equipment.

Meanwhile, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) released a weather forecast stating that heavy rains that can be accompanied by strong winds and lightning still have the potential to occur in the East Java Province until this afternoon.

"The BPBD of East Java Province has issued an early warning to all policy makers in the East Java Province to immediately take mitigation efforts and improve community preparedness and capacity," he concluded.