Floods Hit Cilacap, Inundation Reaches 40 Centimeters

CILACAP - Floods have inundated a number of villages in Cilacap Regency, Central Java, due to heavy rains that have occurred since Sunday, June 26 in the afternoon, until the evening.

Based on temporary data compiled from the Cilacap Disaster Preparedness WhatsApp group belonging to the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Cilacap Regency, Monday 27 June morning, the flood disaster inundated a number of villages in Sidareja, Bantarsari, and Jeruklegi sub-districts.

When contacted by telephone, the Head of Sidareja Martono said that heavy rain that flushed the Sidareja area and its surroundings on Sunday, June 26, at 13.30-17.00 WIB, caused a number of rivers to overflow into settlements and roads.

"The amount of garbage stuck in the pillars of the bridge has hampered the flow of water until it finally overflowed," he said, quoted from Antara.

According to him, the overflowing Cidurian River in Tinggarjaya Village had inundated the Sidareja-Cipari Highway for approximately 4 kilometers with inundation heights ranging from 30-40 centimeters, so that traffic flow was hampered.

Meanwhile, the overflow of the Cikalong and Citengah rivers inundated Jalan Puteran, which is behind the Sidareja Health Center with a depth of 5-20 centimeters, Jalan Panembahan Cisagu, Sidareja Village, around 5-20 centimeters.

Furthermore, Bhayangkara Road in Sidareja Village is around 5-40 centimeters, Batukurung Street in Gunungreja Village is 5-30 centimeters, and Kauman Street which is the border between Sidareja Village and Gunungreja Village is 5-30 centimeters.

"Alhamdulillah, until this morning, the inundation in some areas has receded. The areas that are still inundated are behind the Sidareja Health Center and the settlements west of Sidareja Square," said Martono.

However, he said that the flood disaster that had occurred since Sunday, June 26 night, did not result in the evacuation of residents.

Meanwhile, Bantarsari Sub-district Head Hari Winarno said heavy rains that occurred on Sunday, June 26, at 13.00-20.00 WIB, caused the Cihaur River (upstream of the Cimeneng River, ed.) to overflow so that it inundated Cikedondong Village with a puddle height ranging from 40-150 centimeters and impact on 186 families consisting of 698 people.

"The number of refugees is around 400-500 people. We are having a bit of trouble recording the number of refugees because last night the electricity went out," he said.

He said that based on information from the Bantarsari District Disaster Preparedness Team who was at the location, the flood in Cikendondong Village on Monday morning, June 27, had receded and local residents had started cleaning their homes.

However, his party is worried that the receding puddle of water in Cikedondong Village will affect a number of villages in the lower areas, especially Bantarsari and Rawajaya villages.

Therefore, he said, local residents have started to be prepared for flood disasters since heavy rains occurred on Sunday, June 26.

"Based on the reports we received this morning, water has started to inundate Cikerang RW 11 Hamlet, Bantarsari Village, with a pool height of about 25-30 centimeters. There are 11 RT submerged areas," he said.

According to him, his party is still identifying and assessing the flood disaster that hit the Bantarsari District.

Meanwhile, the flood disaster in Jeruklegi District was reported to have inundated residential areas in Citepus and Prapagan villages.

Regarding the flood disaster in a number of areas of Cilacap Regency, the Head of the Cilacap Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Wijonardi said his party was still conducting an assessment.

"After the assessment is complete, we will immediately inform you," he said.