Ogan Komering Ulu Hit By Flood

Residents of OKU Regency saved valuables from flash floods, Thursday. (ANTARA/Edo Purmana/24)

BATURAJA - Ogan Komering Ulu Regency, South Sumatra (Sumsel), was hit by flash floods due to the overflow of the Ogan River that occurred on Thursday (23/5) in the early hours of the morning.

"The Ogan River overflowed early this morning at around 01.00 WIB, causing flash floods," said Pusdalops Manager of the Ogan Komering Ulu Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Gunalfi, quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, May 23.

Based on observations, he said, the flood submerged a number of sub-districts in Ogan Komering Ulu Regency, such as in Ulu Ogan District, Peninjauan, Semidang Aji, Lengkiti, East Baturaja, and West Baturaja, with water levels reaching 1-2 meters.

"Currently we are still collecting data. Hopefully there will be no casualties," said Gunalfi.

Even the OKU BPBD, he said, deployed rubber personnel and boats to help evacuate flood-affected residents in order to anticipate casualties.

Meanwhile, according to Devi, a resident of Pusar Village, West Baturaja District, he was forced to evacuate because the houses he inhabited were flooded up to two meters.

"The water rose so fast that it entered the house, so there were not many valuables that could be saved," said Devi.