Bekasi Flooding Spreads, 19,408 Households Forced to Fast Amid Floodwaters
Bekasi Regency (ANTARA) — A total of 19,408 households in Bekasi Regency, West Java, have been forced to observe the fasting month amid floodwaters after the area was drenched by a full day of rainfall since the evening of 19 February.
"This afternoon, the number of affected households exceeded 17,000, but tonight the flooding has spread to affect more than 19,000 households," said Muchlis, Head of the Bekasi Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), in Cikarang on Friday.
He explained that floodwaters had spread to 75 locations across numerous villages and sub-districts. Of the 19,408 affected households, 94 households comprising 376 individuals were forced to evacuate after their homes were submerged and access routes cut off.
"Teams are still conducting further data collection. Evacuations and distribution of logistical aid have been carried out at a number of affected locations," he said.
Babelan Sub-district became one of the epicentres of the flooding. Water levels of 20–40 centimetres inundated Hurip Jaya, Babelan Kota, Muarabakti, Kedung Pengawas and Buni Bakti villages.
In Kebalen Urban Village, landslides were reported at two residential sites. Meanwhile, North Tambun Sub-district recorded more widespread damage. Flooding with water levels of 30–100 cm inundated Satriajaya, Satria Mekar, Srijaya, Srimukti and Sriamur villages.
In this area, a tornado was also reported to have struck Srimukti Village, whilst a landslide occurred in Karangsatria Village. In North Cikarang Sub-district, the worst flooding was recorded, with water levels reaching 50 to 170 cm.
Floodwaters submerged Tanjungsari and Karangraharja villages, cutting off local road access and forcing residents to evacuate to safer locations.
In Cabangbungin Sub-district, flooding inundated Jayalaksana Village with water levels of 20–40 cm, whilst Setialaksana Village was reportedly struck by a tornado.
Flooding also spread to Cibitung Sub-district, submerging Wanasari Urban Village, Wanajaya Village and Sarimukti Village. In the coastal area of Muaragembong Sub-district, floodwaters inundated Pantai Harapan Jaya and Bojongsari villages.
"In the southern area, Sukamekar Village was reported submerged with water levels of 30–100 cm. Landslides occurred in several villages, including Sukabungah, Sukamukti, Sukaragam and Jayasampurna," he said.
Landslides occurred at several cliff faces and residential slopes, although no casualties have been reported. As of Friday evening, BPBD recorded three evacuation sites — at the North Tambun Sub-district Office and two locations in Karangraharja Village.
"The total number of displaced persons stands at 376. In addition to residential areas, 1,026 hectares of agricultural land have been affected by flooding, potentially disrupting local food production," he said.
His agency, together with the West Java Provincial BPBD, the military and police, Tagana social welfare volunteers, the Indonesian Red Cross, disaster relief volunteers, the River Basin Authority (BBWS) and PJT II, are conducting data collection, evacuations, setting up evacuation tents and distributing logistical aid.
Muchlis stressed that the primary focus of the response is the safety of residents, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and persons with disabilities.
Dodi Supriadi, Head of the Emergency and Logistics Division of the Bekasi Regency BPBD, said his team is continuously conducting rapid assessments in the field as floodwaters continue to rise in some areas.
"Water discharge at several points remains fluctuating. We have personnel on standby round the clock to monitor developments, especially in areas near river channels and embankments," he said.
His team has also distributed logistics focused on the basic needs of affected residents, including ready-to-eat meals for sahur and iftar, clean water, blankets and supplies for infants and the elderly.
"During Ramadan, we are ensuring the needs of evacuees are met. Public kitchens have been activated at evacuation points, and we are coordinating across sectors to ensure the logistics supply chain is not disrupted," he said.
"This afternoon, the number of affected households exceeded 17,000, but tonight the flooding has spread to affect more than 19,000 households," said Muchlis, Head of the Bekasi Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), in Cikarang on Friday.
He explained that floodwaters had spread to 75 locations across numerous villages and sub-districts. Of the 19,408 affected households, 94 households comprising 376 individuals were forced to evacuate after their homes were submerged and access routes cut off.
"Teams are still conducting further data collection. Evacuations and distribution of logistical aid have been carried out at a number of affected locations," he said.
Babelan Sub-district became one of the epicentres of the flooding. Water levels of 20–40 centimetres inundated Hurip Jaya, Babelan Kota, Muarabakti, Kedung Pengawas and Buni Bakti villages.
In Kebalen Urban Village, landslides were reported at two residential sites. Meanwhile, North Tambun Sub-district recorded more widespread damage. Flooding with water levels of 30–100 cm inundated Satriajaya, Satria Mekar, Srijaya, Srimukti and Sriamur villages.
In this area, a tornado was also reported to have struck Srimukti Village, whilst a landslide occurred in Karangsatria Village. In North Cikarang Sub-district, the worst flooding was recorded, with water levels reaching 50 to 170 cm.
Floodwaters submerged Tanjungsari and Karangraharja villages, cutting off local road access and forcing residents to evacuate to safer locations.
In Cabangbungin Sub-district, flooding inundated Jayalaksana Village with water levels of 20–40 cm, whilst Setialaksana Village was reportedly struck by a tornado.
Flooding also spread to Cibitung Sub-district, submerging Wanasari Urban Village, Wanajaya Village and Sarimukti Village. In the coastal area of Muaragembong Sub-district, floodwaters inundated Pantai Harapan Jaya and Bojongsari villages.
"In the southern area, Sukamekar Village was reported submerged with water levels of 30–100 cm. Landslides occurred in several villages, including Sukabungah, Sukamukti, Sukaragam and Jayasampurna," he said.
Landslides occurred at several cliff faces and residential slopes, although no casualties have been reported. As of Friday evening, BPBD recorded three evacuation sites — at the North Tambun Sub-district Office and two locations in Karangraharja Village.
"The total number of displaced persons stands at 376. In addition to residential areas, 1,026 hectares of agricultural land have been affected by flooding, potentially disrupting local food production," he said.
His agency, together with the West Java Provincial BPBD, the military and police, Tagana social welfare volunteers, the Indonesian Red Cross, disaster relief volunteers, the River Basin Authority (BBWS) and PJT II, are conducting data collection, evacuations, setting up evacuation tents and distributing logistical aid.
Muchlis stressed that the primary focus of the response is the safety of residents, particularly vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and persons with disabilities.
Dodi Supriadi, Head of the Emergency and Logistics Division of the Bekasi Regency BPBD, said his team is continuously conducting rapid assessments in the field as floodwaters continue to rise in some areas.
"Water discharge at several points remains fluctuating. We have personnel on standby round the clock to monitor developments, especially in areas near river channels and embankments," he said.
His team has also distributed logistics focused on the basic needs of affected residents, including ready-to-eat meals for sahur and iftar, clean water, blankets and supplies for infants and the elderly.
"During Ramadan, we are ensuring the needs of evacuees are met. Public kitchens have been activated at evacuation points, and we are coordinating across sectors to ensure the logistics supply chain is not disrupted," he said.