BNPB: Demak-Kudus Flood Emergency Response Period Extended By 14 Days

Photo Archives - Flood inundation conditions in Ketanjung Village, Karanganyar District, Demak Regency, Central Java, to date (12/2/2024) have not yet subsided. (ANTARA/Akhmad Nazaruddin Lathif)

JAKARTA - The flood disaster emergency response period in Demak and Kudus Regencies, Central Java was extended for the next 14 days based on the decision of the main post meeting chaired by the Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).

"Yes, it will be extended starting today for the next 14 days. Or until the water is completely dry so that people can return to their respective homes," said Head of the BNPB Data Center Abdul Muhari as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, February 20.

He explained, during the emergency response period, the government intensified the drying of water, which since February 5 until now has still submerged thousands of houses, more than two thousand hectares of agricultural land, ponds and public facilities.

There are three focuses on water drying efforts carried out, namely suction in nodes using a pumping system of 27 pump units with a capacity of 11.48 cubic meters per second each.

The dozens of pump units were placed in water knots scattered in the areas of Karanganyar, Gajah, Demak, Mijen and Kudus Regency.

During this process, the government through the Ministry of PUPR Sungai Basin Center (BBWS) together with TNI-AD personnel continued to strengthen the embankments that divide the Wulan River.

In this case, his party noted that there are at least two embankments that need to be strengthened so that water does not spill again inundate the surrounding settlements.

"Another focus that is also very important is implementing weather modification technology (TMC) to control rainfall," he said.

Abdul said that during the TMC implementation, at least 4 thousand tons of salt (NaCl) had been distributed in the sky in all areas of the north coast starting from Semarang Pati. The function of TMC is to cut the potential movement of the rainy clouds so as to reduce the accumulation of rainfall in Demak and Kudus.

The BNPB Pusdalops reported that as of Monday (19/2) there were still 18,739 residents (from the previous 28 thousand) who were forced to flee to refugee camps because their houses were still flooded by 80-100 centimeters.

The number of refugees is spread in Karanganyar District as many as 5,837 people, Gajah District 6,113 people, Demak 764 people, Mijen 29 people, and Kudus Regency 5,996 people.

Abdul ensured that basic needs ranging from food, beverages, milk for children, clothing, clean water and the health of the victims while in refugee camps were guaranteed by the government.