Flash Flood In Pati, Central Java Affects 26 Villages: 6 Houses Drift, 24 Severely Damaged

Evacuation of residents using rubber boats due to flash floods in Pati Regency, Central Java (ANTARA/HO-BNPB)

JAKARTA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that flash floods in Pati Regency, Central Java had affected 26 villages in four sub-districts.

At least 42 houses were damaged. In detail, six houses were swept away, 11 houses were lightly to moderately damaged in Bulumanis Kidul Village, Margoyoso District. Then seven houses were washed away and seven houses were heavily damaged in Tanjungrejo Village, Margoyoso District, and Pati District, 11 houses were heavily damaged.

Acting Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center Abdul Muhari said that heavy rains flushed the slopes of Mount Muria which is the headwater of several rivers in Pati Regency, Central Java, since last Wednesday night until Thursday morning yesterday.

"The heavy rain that lasted all night made the embankments of several rivers lose their capacity to accommodate the rising water discharge. As a result, the levees burst and the water overflowed into residential areas," he explained in a written statement received in Jakarta, Antara, Friday, July 15.

"The disaster occurred when most of the residents were asleep. The flood swept through several residents' houses, like a 'small tsunami' that hit indiscriminately. At the time of the midnight incident, there were dozens of houses that were swept away by the flash flood," he said again.

The next morning, when the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Pati Regency together with elements of the Pati Regency Government came to the location, it was found that several points of the embankment had broken and caused the flash flood.

Based on the results of the assessment, the Pati Regency BPBD Rapid Response Team (TRC) found that there was one point of a broken river embankment with a length of approximately 25 meters in Bulumanis Kidul Village. As a result, six houses were washed away and 11 houses were lightly to moderately damaged.

Meanwhile in Tunjungrejo Village, as many as seven houses were swept away by flash floods after the embankment of the Sat River collapsed, while seven other houses were heavily damaged.

"According to records, the embankment had previously burst on Monday (27/6) and had been repaired, but the heavy rain that fell on Thursday (14/7) at midnight caused the damage for the second time," said Abdul.

Based on the results of the rapid assessment that was carried out until Friday (15/7) at 07.00 WIB, the flash flood had an impact on 26 villages divided into four sub-districts.

In addition, Soewondo General Hospital was also inundated with water until it entered several rooms and had time to disrupt health services. The DP3AKB office was also flooded.

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Meanwhile, 55 people from 14 families were displaced in Bulumanis Village. Previously there were 425 residents of Kalidoro Village who took refuge in Kalidoro Mosque, but now they have returned to their respective homes.

Until this news was published, there were no reports of casualties and material losses were still in the process of further data collection.

As an effort to accelerate the handling of banjir bandang disasters, the Pati Regency BPBD together with other relevant agencies have been at the location for coordination and quick review. Field posts have been established at the Bulu Manis Village Hall, to facilitate coordination and emergency response.

In order to meet the food needs of the affected residents and the team in the field, public kitchens have been established at three points, namely at the Social Service Office, Bulumanis Kidul Village Hall and the residence of the Tunjungrejo Village Head.

A number of logistical needs have also been distributed to survivors with types of children's food, ready-to-eat food, ready-to-eat side dishes, baby equipment, ready-to-eat bread and several other necessities.

To this day, the joint team with the community continues to work together to clean up debris and mud carried by the flash flood.

The cleaning was supported by four excavators from the River Basin Center (BBWS) and the local Public Works Department. In addition, trucks carrying mud and garbage and other debris were also alerted, including water tank cars for road cleaning belonging to the Pati Regency BPBD.

Meanwhile, the Meteorology Class II Ahmad Yani-Semarang Station, Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued information on weather forecasts stating that light to moderate rain still has the potential to occur in the Pati Regency area until tonight. Furthermore, especially in mountainous areas and surrounding areas, there is still the potential for moderate to heavy rains that can be preceded by lightning and strong winds.

Referring to the weather forecast information, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) appealed to regional policy makers together with the community to make all efforts that refer to mitigation and improvement of preparedness to minimize and prevent subsequent disasters.

"Efforts such as normalizing rivers, river crossings, cleaning rivers from clogged garbage, repairing and strengthening embankments, outreach to the community and monitoring weather developments must be carried out regularly," said Abdul.

People living around cliff slopes and riverbanks should increase their vigilance. "In the event of high-intensity rain with a duration of more than one hour, it is advisable to temporarily evacuate independently to a safer location," said Abdul.