Lamongan distributes 54 tonnes of rice to flood-affected residents
Lamongan, East Java — Lamongan Regency Government in East Java has distributed food assistance comprising 54 tonnes of rice and 9,700 food aid packages to residents in five sub-districts affected by flooding in the area.
Regent Yuhronur Efendi, while symbolically presenting the assistance in Ngujungrejo Village, Turi Sub-district, Lamongan, on Thursday, stated that the aid was provided to help meet residents’ needs whilst flooding continues to inundate various areas.
“Indeed, this year’s weather is extreme and difficult to predict. Rainfall has increased coupled with water overflow from several reservoirs that accumulate in the Bengawan Jero area,” he said.
He explained that the regional government continues to accelerate flood response efforts through various measures, ranging from optimising water pumps, coordinating with various parties, to proposing weather modification operations to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).
According to him, several pumps are also being operated in the Sluis Kuro area to accelerate water drainage so that flooding can subside quickly.
“We have also consulted with BMKG to request weather engineering so that rainfall can be controlled until the approach of Eid al-Fitr. Whilst the government works to ensure public needs continue to be met,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ngujungrejo Village Chief Mujib hopes the government will continue to pursue accelerated flood response so that water inundation can recede before Eid al-Fitr.
For information, the food assistance distributed by the regency government comes from the National Food Agency (Bapanas) and is distributed in two phases.
A total of 22 tonnes of rice and 4,850 food aid packages were distributed in the first phase, whilst the second phase comprises 32 tonnes of rice and 4,850 food aid packages being distributed to residents.
Distribution of assistance is being carried out in five flood-affected sub-districts: Kalitengah, Turi, Deket, Glagah, and Karangbinangun.