Overnight Rain Causes Flooding of Up to 1.2 Metres in Villa Tomang, Tangerang

Heavy rain that lashed Tangerang Regency from Thursday (19 February) caused flooding in the Villa Tomang Baru housing estate in Pasar Kemis sub-district, Banten, on Friday (20 February).

Observations at the scene found floodwaters ranging from 20 centimetres to 1.2 metres in depth, inundating hundreds of homes spread across five neighbourhood units (RW): RW 13, 14, 15, 17 and 18.

“The highest water levels reached between 60 centimetres and 1.2 metres,” said Hendi, an official of RW 15 in Villa Tomang Baru.

Residents were seen attempting to move their valuables to higher ground.

Besides submerging the residential area, the floodwaters also cut off road access connecting Tangerang Regency with Tangerang City.

According to Hendi, approximately 300 households have been affected by the flooding. A number of residents have begun leaving their homes to seek shelter with relatives or at safer locations.

“Some have gone to relatives’ houses. As for myself, I plan to take refuge at my child’s home,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Joko Murjito, squad commander at the Pasar Kemis post of the Tangerang Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) fire brigade, said officers are still pumping water to reduce the inundation.

“Pumping operations are still ongoing — the floodwater is being discharged into the Cirarab River near the housing estate,” he explained.