150 Bandung Residents Affected By Flash Floods Imbas Hit The Cikapundung River

Floods inundated the Braga Village area, Sumur Bandung District, Bandung City, Thursday (11/1/2024). (ANTARA/HO-BNPB)

BANDUNG - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that around 150 people chose to evacuate due to the flood disaster that hit Bandung City, West Java (West Java).

Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center Abdul Muhari said that as many as 600 people and 600 houses were affected by the flood that occurred on Thursday, January 11.

"About 150 people chose to evacuate to a safer place for a while," Abdul said in his statement in Jakarta, Friday, January 12, which was confiscated by Antara.

He explained that the incident was triggered by high-intensity rain which caused the Cikapundung River to overflow into residential areas.

Referring to the report from the BNPB Operations Control Center (Pusdalops) on Friday, January 12 at 00.46 WIB, the affected locations were in the Braga Village area, Sumur Bandung District. A total of 600 people and 600 houses were affected by the flood disaster.

"The West Java Province Regional Disaster Management Agency and other elements since last night have been at the location to carry out emergency handling, rapid assessment, and provide services at the evacuation post. BPBD also provides 1,000 sacks to be used as temporary embankments and provides 200 blankets for affected residents," said Abdul.

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued an early warning to be aware of the potential for moderate to heavy rain which can be accompanied by lightning and strong winds that can occur in the city of Bandung and parts of West Java on Friday, January 12.

BNPB urges local governments and communities, especially those living in flood-prone areas such as around watersheds, to take preparedness steps to face the rainy season.

The preparedness measures include routine cleaning of waterways, drainage, and rivers from the garbage so that there is no blockage or silting that causes water discharge to overflow easily when it rains with high intensity.