Lamong River Flood Floods Soak 15 Villages In Gresik

PHOTO VIA BETWEEN

GRESIK - The overflowing flood of Kali Lamong submerged 15 villages in Gresik Regency, East Java, after heavy rains hit the area.

Head of the Gresik Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Tarso Sagito, said the submerged villages were located in three sub-districts, namely Benjeng, Balongpanggang and Kedamean sub-districts.

"When we first reported the increase in the Lamong River's water discharge, this was due to the high intensity of rain," said Tarso, quoted by Antara, Friday, November 5.

He explained that on Thursday, November 4 at around 22.00 WIB the Lamong River had begun to overflow, and submerged several villages in Balongpanggang and Benjeng, then Friday afternoon, until this afternoon the flood continued to spread.

Tarso said that dozens of villages that were reported to be affected by flooding due to the overflow of the Lamong River included Dapet, Banjaragung, Wotansari, Karangsemanding, Sekarputih, Pucung, Lundo, and Bulurejo villages.

BPBD Gresik noted that more than 600 houses were submerged, plus hundreds of hectares of rice fields as well as a number of access roads and village protocols.

"For Sekarputih and Pucung villages, 250 houses were submerged, plus Kedungrukem Village there were 339 houses inundated. This does not include the submerged rice fields, and is quite large," said Tarso.

Tarso admitted that the overflow of the Lamong River has become an annual scourge for the residents of South Gresik when the rainy season comes.

"We have also mitigated disaster-prone areas, in fact, a number of emergency boats have also been alerted and are in villages. Our officers continue to monitor the water level in Kali Lamong," he said.