25,518 Demak Flood Victims In 25 Villages Still Detained In Refugees

Illustration. Wilalung flood gate or Wilalung Flood Control Building (BPBWL) on the border of Kudus and Demak regencies. (Between)

JAKARTA - A total of 25,518 flood victims in Demak Regency, Central Java were reportedly detained in an emergency refugee camp for the next few days because the puddles had not subsided.

"Because their residences are still flooded, they have to be detained in emergency evacuations spread across 55 points, until conditions really improve," said Plt. Head of BPBD Demak Regency M. Agus Nugroho through an online broadcast entitled Disaster Teropong BNPB monitored in Jakarta, Thursday 15 February, was confiscated by Antara.

According to him, the 25,518 victims were residents of 25 villages in Karanganyar, Gajah and Wijen sub-districts, which were affected by large floods since Monday, February 5.

"Because their homes are still flooded, they have to be detained in emergency evacuations spread over 55 points, until conditions really improve," he said.

He explained that since at least Thursday, February 15 evening, the water has still inundated residential areas in these villages with a height of 20-150 centimeters (cm).

The Demak BPBD Pusdalops team confirmed that the collapse of the Wulan River embankment, which is directly adjacent to Kudus Regency, was one of the things that made the floods unable to be resolved perfectly.

The suction of puddles using 20 pump units with a capacity of thousands of liters per second is still slow, because there is no barrier, the river overflow will flow again inundating the surrounding area.

Nevertheless, Agus ensured that basic necessities, both in the form of food, clean water and blankets, would be sufficient medicine for flood victims. A total of 14 public kitchens were established to meet the needs of the victims.

On the other hand, his party hopes that efforts to repair the Wulan River flow barrier embankment can be completed 100 percent immediately, so that flooding does not spread again if it rains and residents can return to their normal activities.