Periuk Damai Housing Complex in Tangerang Submerged by 3-Metre Flood
Hundreds of homes in Periuk Damai housing complex, Periuk village, Periuk district, Tangerang city, Banten, remained submerged by flood waters reaching depths of three metres on Monday, 9 March. The flooding was triggered by overflow from Situ Bulakan Lake as well as a breach in the embankment along Kali Sabi waterway.
At least 286 households spread across five neighbourhood units in RW 08 of Periuk Damai housing complex remained affected by the flooding on the second day. Residents were forced to seek refuge at Al Jihad Mosque due to water levels in the residential area still reaching approximately two to three metres.
The flooding occurred following overflow of water from Situ Bulakan Lake, compounded by a breach in the embankment along Kali Sabi which was no longer able to accommodate water discharge following heavy rainfall that battered the area since Saturday, 7 March evening.
The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Tangerang city reported that residents had endured one full day and night at evacuation sites as water levels in the residential area still reached approximately two metres and above.
Andia, head of the BPBD division in Tangerang city, stated that on the second day of flooding, parts of eastern Tangerang such as Ciledug, Karang Tengah, Larangan, and Pinang began to recede, but relief efforts were now focused on western areas, particularly Periuk district.
“Water recession in the Periuk area is occurring but has not been significant, with only approximately 20 centimetres of reduction over the past 12 hours,” Andia said.
The BPBD noted that approximately one thousand households remained in evacuation at five evacuation centres distributed across the affected areas.
“We continue to pursue evacuation efforts for the safety of residents and to facilitate the provision of assistance such as healthcare services and basic necessities,” Andia stated.
Nevertheless, some residents chose to remain on the second floors of their homes whilst awaiting the flood waters to recede.