BPBD Predicts Extreme Weather To Hit Surakarta Until The End Of May

Puddles on Jalan Slamet Riyadi Solo on Sunday 8 May. (ANTARA/Aris W)

SURAKARTA - The Surakarta City Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) predicts extreme weather will occur in the area until the end of May 2022. BPBD appeals to residents to be vigilant.

"Be alert until the end of May, but we will evaluate this first while waiting for data from the BMKG (Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency)", said Head of BPBD Surakarta, Nico Agus Putranto in Solo, Monday, May 9.

He said the last extreme incident in Solo occurred on Sunday, May 8, where there was a pool of water up to an adult's knee and houses were damaged by falling trees.

According to him, puddles of water due to heavy rains for two hours occurred in as many as 20 points in various areas in Solo City.

"There are puddles and overflowing rivers in Solo City, almost all rivers in Solo City overflow, such as Jenes River, Banyuanyar, including overflowing water along Solo City roads, especially on Slamet Riyadi Street, Urip Sumoharjo Street, and KS Tubun Street. In total there are 20 inundation points in various areas", he said, as reported by Antara.

As for the tornado incident, he said, it resulted in the downfall of several large trees.

"There were several fallen trees that occurred at nine points, one of which was on Veteran Street, Types Village, Serengan District, where there was a fallen tree that hit an empty house", he said.

In addition, a similar incident also occurred in the Village of Ngorisan, District of Jebres, Surakarta. He said a fallen tree fell on three residents' houses.

However, he confirmed that there were no fatalities as a result of the incident. "The worst thing is, it hit several roofs of residents' houses, everything was destroyed", he added.

According to the incoming report, five houses were damaged. Four of them were caused by a tornado and one of them was caused by a landslide.

As a follow-up, his party is currently coordinating with relevant agencies to assist residents affected by the natural disaster.

"We will take an inventory first, coordinate with the Social Service, Department of Public Housing and Settlement Areas (Perkim), Regional Revenue, Financial and Asset Management Office (DPPKAD) what assistance we can provide", he said.