Mayor Of Batu Admits Land Conversion Is The Main Factor For Flash Floods

Mayor of Batu Dewanti Rumpoko (IST)

BATU - Mayor of Batu, East Java Dewanti Rumpoko admitted that the alleged conversion of land in the upstream area of the Brantas River contributed to the flash flood disaster. This analysis was also submitted by BNPB.

However, Dewanti said that the conversion of protected forest land to agricultural land was not the sole factor. From the results of the river crossing carried out, it was found that many river flows were blocked by tree material and landslides.

From the results of a drone search, it was found that many landslides occurred in the Pusung Lading area. Starting from landslides to dead trees caused by fires in 2019.

This material was then carried away by the flow of water from the heavy rainfall at that time and finally merged with the flow of the Brantas River.

Until then this material blocked the waterway around Bumiaji District and turned towards the dead river and had a tremendous impact on Sambong and Gintung villages which were previously dead rivers.

"So the conversion of land upstream is also a major factor, and then heavy rainfall and tree material and landslides in Pusung Lading have been added," said the Mayor of Batu, Tuesday, November 9.

The impact of this flash flood caused 17 houses to be swept away by the flood, 43 houses were badly damaged and 32 houses were submerged in mud. There were 14 victims, 7 of whom were found dead due to being swept away and the remaining 6 people were found safe.

A similar impact also occurred in Malang City, 625 families or 1,100 residents were forced to evacuate and 4 houses were lost and badly damaged by the flood. No casualties. Until now, the cleaning of the remaining material is still being carried out.

"The cleaning of the material is targeted to be completed next week. But for normalization it will take up to 6 months,” he explained.

The recommendation from BNPB states that the local government together with cross-stakeholders and the community must promote reforestation, especially in the upstream part of the river.

In addition, the technical recommendation from BBWS for the long term is to build check dams and waterfall structures to control river flows.

Meanwhile, his party will also seek to temporarily build temporary housing for affected residents. The city government is not responsible if the residents' houses violate the rules to be built on the banks of the river.

“For example, if there is a house on the bank of a river and it violates the rules, it cannot be built again, it must be relocated. Later the relocation location has been prepared in the Bulukerto Village area," he said.