964 Houses Of Cirebon Residents Submerged By Floods Up To 1.5 Meters

Floods that submerged the settlements of residents of Cirebon Regency, West Java Province, Saturday (22/1).

JAKARTA - Floods have submerged Waled District, Cirebon Regency, West Java Province since Friday, January 21 night. This flood occurred after heavy rain that caused the Ciberes river to overflow

Plt. Head of BNPB Disaster Data and Communication Center Abdul Muhari revealed that 964 houses were submerged up to 1.5 meters. The affected residents amounted to 3,783 people.

"Floods with water levels of 20 to 150 centimeters submerged three villages in the sub-district, including Ciuyah, Gunung Sari and Mekarsari villages," said Abdul Muhari in his statement, Saturday, January 22.

Based on a report from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Cirebon Regency, the flood also submerged a number of school buildings, namely one elementary school unit, one kindergarten unit, two early childhood education units, one junior high school unit, and two madrasah ibtidaiyah units.

"The two units of places of worship and four units of the prayer room were also submerged due to this incident," he said.

Currently, BPBD and local village officials are carrying out the process of evacuating affected residents to safer places using rubber boats. There were no reports of fatalities and injuries from this incident up to 30 centimeters.

Meanwhile, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued early warning information as of January 22 to 24, 2022 for Cirebon Regency covering the potential for rain that can be accompanied by lightning/lightning and strong winds between noon and night.

The inaRISK study shows that Cirebon Regency has a moderate to high level of potential flood hazard, affecting 39 sub-districts.

Therefore, Abdul Muhari appealed to the community and local regional officials to increase their vigilance against the potential for rainy weather which will continue until its peak in February.

"Preparedness measures can also be taken by clearing materials that block the flow or waterways around rivers or irrigation areas, monitoring the increase in water discharge during heavy rainfall and making emergency plans by preparing safe evacuation steps and places in accordance with health protocols," he added.