Submerged Village in Karian Dam Re-emerges During Dry Season, Evoking Nostalgia

A village that was submerged by the Karian Dam in Lebak Regency has reappeared during the current dry season. Former residents who once lived there are feeling nostalgic for their old homes.

One of the former residents, Odon, said that usually only the roofs of mosques are visible when the water is high. However, now many houses can be seen clearly.

"A lot has emerged, like in Kampung Susukan, Karian, it’s reappearing because the water has receded. Then Somang, Sukajaya Village… Somang is half visible. Sukarame too," Odon told reporters on Monday (27/7/2026).

Odon’s house was in Kampung Bolang, which is in the middle of the reservoir. Although his house is not visible at the moment, he visited the receded reservoir two weeks ago.

"Yes, reminiscing, remembering the land of my birth," said Odon.

Odon and many other residents did not move far from their original location. They bought new houses again near the Karian Dam.

He explained that residents usually use rafts when visiting the reservoir. They try to guess where their former houses were located.

"The locals there build rafts, and those who have money buy boats," he said.

As is known, the submerged village becomes visible again when the water in the Karian Dam, Lebak Regency, recedes. The buildings of the village, which was abandoned by its inhabitants in 2023, can be seen once more.

Although they no longer have roofs, the walls of the houses in the village are starting to appear. The village was previously a densely populated settlement.

"The location is at the tip of the reservoir in Sukarame Village and Sukajaya Village, Sajira District, already in the upstream area, and it was originally a densely populated residential area," said Maretha Ayu Kusumawati, Head of General Affairs and Administration at the Cidanau-Ciujung-Cidurian River Basin Agency (BBWS C3).

She stated that the buildings were not demolished when the area was flooded. The construction team only cleared the plants in the reservoir area.

"The condition of the entire inundation area, even though it has been acquired, the buildings were not demolished. The construction team only cleared the plants," she said.

Maretha Ayu noted that the water level has currently dropped by approximately 5 per cent. This condition has made the abandoned village buildings clearly visible.

"At the reservoir’s flood water level, some houses will be submerged because the height difference with the normal water level is about 3.35 metres. Currently, the elevation has dropped by about 80 centimetres from the normal water level," she said.