Heavy Rain Causes Flooding in Several Areas of Depok

Heavy rain struck Depok City, West Java, on Saturday night (21/3/2026). Several areas were subsequently flooded, including Perumahan Bukit Cengkeh 1, Perumahan Bukit Cengkeh 2, and Perumahan Taman Duta, located near Kali Jantung. The water began overflowing from 6:00 PM WIB. “It started from 6:00 PM WIB. The water hasn’t receded yet,” said Opung Mutiara Rajagukguk Naibaho, a resident of Perumahan Bukit Cengkeh 2. The water height in Perumahan Bukit Cengkeh 1 and 2, as well as Perumahan Taman Duta, reached 70-80 centimetres, and the water has not subsided as of now. “The water was initially ankle-deep, around 40 centimetres. But due to the high intensity of the rain, the water flowed in until it reached 70-80 centimetres,” she explained. The 74-year-old Opung Mutiara suspects that the flooding in Perumahan Bukit Cengkeh 1, 2, and Perumahan Taman Duta was caused by the breach of the Kali Laya embankment, located not far from the residential area. “The overflow of the Kali Laya embankment in Depok City often breaches, causing flooding in residents’ housing due to high rainfall,” she stated. The Kali Laya embankment has previously breached, causing floodwaters to inundate hundreds of residents’ homes, especially in the Perumahan Bukit Cengkeh 1 and 2 areas. The flooding occurred due to high rainfall that made the river’s discharge exceed its capacity and damage the retaining embankment. Opung Mutiara said the water in her home rose so high that it flooded the furniture. Opung Mutiara and her family were forced to climb onto tables and wardrobes because of the strong current of rainwater. “My grandchild, my child, and I had to climb onto the table and wardrobe. We were afraid of being swept away by the water current,” she said sadly. Local residents, according to Opung Mutiara, have repeatedly urged the Depok City Government to immediately repair or strengthen the embankment structure along the Kali Laya flow. “Embankment repairs are the main demand of residents here to address flooding. However, to this day, that demand has been taken as mere hot air,” she said. In addition, water pooling also occurred on Jalan Juanda, Sukmajaya. Vehicles had to pass slowly. That road section was still passable by vehicles but at low speed. Residents in the housing area expressed disappointment over the absence of any local government officials visiting the site. “Not a single local government official has shown up at the location,” said a resident (KG).