Bondowoso Flash Flood Triggered By A Landslide In The Upper River Area Of ​​Mount Ijen

Settlement of Kalisat Village residents, Ijen District, Bondowoso, after being hit by flash floods. Monday (13/2/2023) (ANTARA)

BONDOWOSO - Perum Perhutani KPH Bondowoso, East Java, stated that the cause of the flash floods that hit two villages in Ijen District was caused by occurrence of several points of landslides in the upper reaches of the river so that the floodwaters from the highlands overflowed and hit residential areas.

The administrator of Perum Perhutani KPH Bondowoso Andi Adrian Hidayat explained that before the flood hit the Kalisat and Sempol villages on the slopes of Mount Ijen, there had been high-intensity rains from Saturday to Sunday and caused landslides in the secondary natural forest (HAS) area of ​​natural forest plant species in plot 99A RPH Ijen plains BKPH Sukosari.

"Based on our monitoring using unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), there were 14 points of landslides upstream of the river that flows into the residential areas of Sempol and Kalisat villages," Andi said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, February 14.

Starting from dozens of avalanches in the upper reaches of the river, he continued, resulting in overflowing and unstoppable waterlogging until finally flash floods occurred as a result of overflowing into residential areas and roads on the slopes of Mount Ijen.

"Besides that, because the capacity of the river and drainage downstream cannot accommodate the flood flow that comes suddenly from upstream," said Andi.

He also claimed that the forest area plot 99A was in a very good and dense condition of natural forest plants and there was no cultivation by the local community.

"We confirm that the flash floods that occurred in Ijen District were purely due to landslides at several points upriver," he said.

Andi added, Mount Suket is in good condition and there are no openings (not bare), and in the 75-hectare area there are also mixed forest plants and in the production forest, there are pine trees.

"Now there are no horticultural crops on Mount Suket because we have not given permits," he said.

Before the flash floods that hit the settlements in Sempol and Kalisat Villages, there was heavy rain and then suddenly the water mixed with mud and sand as well as branches and wooden branches hit the residents' houses.