Alert, 21 Of 23 Sub-districts In Bekasi Regency Are Prone To Flooding

Illustration (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Bekasi Regency, West Java noted that 21 of the total 23 sub-districts in the area were categorized as flood-prone areas.

"Residents continue to be vigilant, especially when heavy rain has continued to pour in a number of areas in the past week," said Bekasi Regency BPBD Prevention and Preparedness Division Head Muhammad Said in Cikarang, as reported by Antara, Friday, June 4.

Said admitted that currently there are only two sub-districts in his area, namely Bojongmangu and Cibarusah sub-districts which are at a low level of flood vulnerability, while the rest are flood-prone areas.

He said that although the level of flood vulnerability is low, it does not mean that the two areas are free of disasters. Bojongmangu is a highland area that is prone to landslides, while Cibarusah is hit by drought almost every year because it is difficult to find springs.

Said appealed to residents not to be fixated on the rainy and dry seasons because in this transitional period of climate and weather, rain can fall at any time.

"Usually May-June is faced with the dry season, but the problem is that several times in the last day it still rains. So now we urge residents not to stick to annual routines, this month is dry, this month is rainy. there," he said.

Heavy rains that have fallen since the last few days have caused flooding at two points, namely Kali Ulu, North Cikarang and Kedungwaringin, although it did not inundate residents' houses.

He stated that it is not impossible that if heavy rain continues to pour, heavy flooding will again inundate Bekasi Regency.

"For that, because there are changes in weather and climate, we all have to be vigilant. Yesterday at Kali Ulu and Kedungwaringin it was up to one knee, fortunately the flood flooded for a moment, after that it receded again," he said.

Said revealed that the massive flood that occurred early last year had increased the number of disaster-prone areas in Bekasi Regency from 20 to 21 sub-districts. Practically only two sub-districts with a low level of vulnerability.

"Indeed, there is an increase in vulnerable areas, so there are a total of 21 out of 23 sub-districts in Bekasi Regency with a total of 157 points," he said.

As is known, in February-March 2021, large floods hit Bekasi Regency with water levels reaching more than two meters. The worst happened in Pebayuran District because the embankment downstream of the Citarum collapsed, submerging thousands of residents' houses, causing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate.

The local government is currently preparing the addition of eight disaster response villages (Destana) to minimize the impact of disasters, including floods.

"Since 2017, Bekasi Regency has formed 14 disaster-responsive villages and villages. This year, eight more disaster-response villages will be added in the hope of being able to minimize the impact of disasters," said Said.