Flooding Hits Jember: Bridge Collapses, 3,944 Households Affected

Flooding has reportedly struck 17 villages in Jember Regency, East Java, from Thursday (2/12) through Friday (2/13), affecting thousands of residents. Jember BPBD Chief Edi Budi Susilo said the flooding hit 17 villages across eight subdistricts in Jember, with 3,944 households reported affected.

“Flooding struck eight subdistricts with 3,944 households affected,” Edi said on Friday (2/13).

Edi said that before the flooding, heavy rainfall pounded the area for several hours. As a result, water levels rose in a number of rivers, including the Dinoyo, Kaliputih, Kaliklepuh, Kalijompo, Rembangan, Bedadung, Karangbayat, and Gondangdia rivers.

On Thursday evening at around 7:00 p.m. local time, water began overflowing into residential areas with varying depths between 30 centimeters and two meters.

“It then inundated road access, toppled bridges, and caused traffic congestion,” he said.

The flooding hit the subdistricts of Panti, Sukorambi, Rambipuji, Kalisat, Kaliwates, Bangsalsari, Ajung, and Balung. Damaged infrastructure included three bridges and one Islamic boarding school. One of the bridges reported to have collapsed was in Suci Village, Panti Subdistrict, after being struck by strong floodwaters.

“The bridge collapsed after being hit by quite powerful flash floods in Suci Village, Panti Subdistrict, disrupting residents’ access due to the disaster,” he said.

The worst flooding occurred in Rambipuji Subdistrict, where water levels exceeded one meter. As a result, 299 residents were forced to evacuate to several safe locations. The evacuees took shelter at Ustaz Nurul’s house in Krajan Hamlet (60 people), Umar’s house in Garuda Kidul Pasar (75 people), Nurul Iman Mosque in Curah Ancar (150 people), and the Rambipuji Village Hall (14 people).

Additionally, the Jember BPBD also carried out cleanup of flood debris in Kampung Ledok, Jember Kidul, which is the home of former Jember Regent Hendy Siswanto. Response efforts were also conducted in Kaliwates and Ajung subdistricts, along with distribution of logistical aid for independent kitchens in Rambipuji Subdistrict.

“Disaster response efforts are still ongoing today by the Jember BPBD, and several handling recommendations have been forwarded to relevant regional agencies,” he concluded.