BNPB: Flooding from Comal River Overflow Submerges 16 Villages in Pemalang

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) states that flooding due to the overflow of the Comal River has submerged at least 16 villages in Pemalang Regency, Central Java. The Head of the BNPB Centre for Disaster Data, Information, and Communication, Abdul Muhari, in a statement received in Jakarta on Friday, said the incident occurred after the area was hit by high-intensity rain since early Thursday (26/3), triggering a rise in water levels between 30 - 80 centimetres. In addition to flooding, this extreme rainfall has also caused landslide points in several locations in Pemalang Regency. According to Abdul, the affected areas include Comal Subdistrict (Susukan Village, Klegen, Sidorejo, Kauman, Kandang, Kebojongan, Wonokromo, and Sarwodadi) and Ulujami Subdistrict (Ampelgading and Patarukan Villages). Furthermore, in Ulujami Subdistrict, the affected areas include Pesantren, Mojo, and Limbangan Villages. Meanwhile, in Ampelgading Subdistrict, they include Kebagusan and Sidokare Villages, as well as Kendaldoyong, Panjunan, and Kendalrejo Villages in Patarukan Subdistrict. He confirmed that the quick reaction team from the Pemalang Regency Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) is already at the location to carry out resident evacuation efforts and distribute logistical aid in the form of food supplies for the survivors to meet their needs during the emergency period. BNPB, he said, is currently coordinating with the local government and cross-agency to support the acceleration of on-site emergency handling, while monitoring river flow conditions and the potential for follow-up extreme weather in Central Java.