The Drop In 6 Embankments Exacerbated Floods In Demak, Central Java

Heavy floods that inundated the connecting road for Demak-Kudus Regency, Central Java, Monday (18/3/2024). (ANTARA/HO-BNPB)

The head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) stated that the floods that hit Demak Regency, Central Java, were getting worse due to the six embankments that blocked the river flow in the local area. Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center Abdul Muhari said the six broken embankments were scattered in the Wulan River, which is on the border between Demak and Kudus Regencies. In fact, some of the embankments were previously repaired in mid-February, but broke again on Sunday. According to him, this happened because the embankment was unable to withstand the volume of the Wulan River which continued to increase after heavy rains. "This condition makes the river overflow flow rapidly and instantly inundate 89 villages in 11 sub-districts with an average height of 30 centimeters," he explained in Jakarta, Antara, Monday, March 18. The Demak Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Pusdalops team confirmed that to this day the flood inundation in residential areas has exceeded the knee of adults or about 80 centimeters. In addition, the flow of flooding on the Demak-Kudus connecting road also seemed to be getting heavier, in addition to crippling traffic flow and endangering the safety of residents who were being evacuated by officers using boats. Data compiled by the BNPB Pusdalops Team so far is at least 93,149 Demak residents affected by the flood, 22,725 of whom have been evacuated to refugee camps.

The refugee camps are spread over 45 points, each spread across Demak, Karangtengah, Sayung, Mranggen, Wonosalam, Karanganyar, Karangawen, Kebonagung, Guntur, Delampet, and Gajah sub-districts.