Floodwaters Yet to Recede: 19,408 Households in Bekasi Observe Fasting Amid Flooding
A total of 19,408 households in Bekasi Regency, West Java, have been forced to observe the fasting month amid floodwaters. The flooding was triggered by continuous rainfall since Thursday evening.
“This afternoon the number of affected households exceeded 17,000, but tonight the flooding has spread, impacting more than 19,000 households,” said Muchlis, Head of the Bekasi Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), in Cikarang on Friday (20/2/2026).
He explained that floodwaters had spread across 75 locations in various 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 were cut off.
“Teams are still conducting further assessments. Evacuations and distribution of logistical aid have been carried out at a number of affected locations,” he said.
Babelan Sub-district was one of the flood epicentres. Water levels of 20-40 centimetres inundated the villages of Hurip Jaya, Babelan Kota, Muarabakti, Kedung Pengawas, and Buni Bakti.
In Kebalen, landslides were reported at two residential sites. Meanwhile, North Tambun Sub-district recorded more widespread impact. Flooding with water levels of 30-100 cm inundated the villages of Satriajaya, Satria Mekar, Srijaya, Srimukti and Sriamur.
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, flooding was recorded as the most severe, with water levels reaching 50 to 170 cm.
Floodwaters submerged Tanjungsari and Karangraharja villages, severing 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 hit by a tornado.
The flooding also spread to Cibitung Sub-district, submerging Wanasari, 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 fatalities have been reported. As of Friday evening, the BPBD recorded three evacuation sites: the North Tambun Sub-district Office and two locations in Karangraharja Village.
“The total number of evacuees has reached 376 people. Besides residential areas, 1,026 hectares of agricultural land have been affected by flooding, potentially disrupting local food production,” he said.
The agency, together with the West Java Provincial BPBD, the military and police, Tagana social welfare volunteers, the Indonesian Red Cross, disaster relief volunteers, the Major River Basin Organisation (BBWS) and PJT II, are conducting assessments, 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 Emergency and Logistics at the Bekasi Regency BPBD, said his team continues to carry out rapid assessments in the field as floodwaters may still rise further.
“Water discharge at several points remains fluctuating. We have personnel on standby 24 hours to monitor developments, especially in areas near river courses 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 that evacuees’ needs are met. Communal kitchens have been activated at evacuation sites, and we are coordinating across sectors to ensure the logistics supply chain remains uninterrupted,” he said.