Rob Floods Hit the Coast of Tanjungpinang City Again

Tidal floods in the coastal area of Bugis Village, Tanjungpinang City, Riau Islands. (Ogen)

TANJUNGPINANG - Tidal floods hit coastal areas in Tanjungpinang City, Riau Islands, starting from the Pelantar II area, Tanjung Unggat to Bugis Village.

At Pelantar II Street, Tanjungpinang, tidal floods have spread up the road, even submerging several shops in the area. Several two-wheeled vehicles also broke down after passing through a pool of seawater with a height of about 30 centimetres.

"My motorbike died completely as a result of being submerged in seawater at Pelantar II Street Tanjungpinang", said a resident, Ahmad in Tanjungpinang, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, February 21.

Meanwhile, in Tanjung Unggat, at least a dozen coastal residents' houses were submerged in the tidal flood. Residents moved quickly to evacuate their valuables, especially electronic equipment.

"There is a previous experience if there is a tidal flood quickly evacuate washing machines, refrigerators and other valuables before they are submerged in seawater", said a resident, Ismael.

Meanwhile, according to the Tanjungpinang Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), the tidal flooding that occurred in the Tanjungpinang area was caused by the super New Moon phenomenon or the new moon phase which coincides with Perigee or the closest distance from the moon to earth.

Tanjungpinang BMKG forecaster Rizqi Nur Fitriani said tidal or coastal flooding in general could have an impact on community activities around the port and the coast, such as loading and unloading activities at the port, activities in coastal settlements, as well as salt ponds and inland fishery activities.

"Rob floods in the Tanjungpinang and Bintan areas are expected to occur until February 25, 2023", he said.

BMKG appealed to the public to evacuate to a safer place if it is felt that sea level rise could have a significant impact in the next few days.

The public can monitor the development of the latest weather information from the official BMKG website via the website, the BMKG info application, as well as info from the Tanjungpinang BMKG on related social media, such as Instagram and WhatsApp.