Police Monitor Jabodetabek Floods, Babelan Bekasi Becomes The Focus Of Evacuation

Illustration. Floods inundated residential areas in Jambi City at the end of November 2022. (ANTARA-Nanang Mairiadi)

JAKARTA - Head of the Water and Air Police Corps (Kakorpolairud) Baharkam Polri, Inspector General Yassin Kosasih said the Babelan area in Bekasi Regency was a priority for the evacuation process. Because, there are still severe puddles or floods.

"Currently, Babelan is one of our main focuses because there are still lacking personnel there, while many houses are still submerged," Yassin told reporters, Wednesday, March 5.

The condition of the Babelan area was discovered after the National Police carried out monitoring using helicopters to see the current conditions at various flood points, including in Bekasi, Jakarta, Tangerang, and Bogor.

So far, said Yassin, around 200 personnel have been deployed and deployed at eight points, including Jatirasa, Jatiasih, Pondok Gede Permai, and Kebon Pala Housing, Bekasi.

However, that number is deemed insufficient. Thus, there will be additional personnel and safety equipment such as life jackets and others. Thus, the process of evacuating people who are still trapped at the flood point can run smoothly.

"We will deploy more personnel and equipment there," he said.

Meanwhile, Karo Penmas, Police Public Relations Division, Brigadier General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, who also carried out air monitoring with Kakorpolairud, emphasized that the National Police had taken mitigation steps since the beginning of the disaster.

"We empathize with our brothers and sisters who were affected by the flood disaster. Since yesterday, the National Police Chief has instructed all ranks to go directly to the field. In addition to evacuating residents, we also ensure the security of the environment with night patrols by Sabhara, as well as carrying out traffic engineering in flood-affected areas," explained Trunoyudo.

Mitigation efforts continue to be carried out by collaborating with the Ministry of Social Affairs and various other stakeholders. Until now, the evacuation process is still ongoing, especially in areas that are still inundated, such as Babelan. The National Police ensures that they will continue to provide assistance to the community until conditions return to normal.