The Jakarta Post, Jambi, Tuesday December 02 2014
Heavy rains have pounded the region for two consecutive days, triggering floods and landslides in several places across the country.
In Jambi, the province’s Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) has provided equipment to a number of regencies affected by floods, such as rubber boats.
Jambi BPBD head Arif Munandar said the current flooding was triggered by overflows within the Batanghari River Delta Areas (DAS), such as in Merangin and Kerinci regencies, where they can be described as flash floods.
“We have coordinated with all BPBD offices in the regencies to remain alert and further monitor the condition of the Batanghari DAS,” said Arif on Monday.
He said his agency remained on the alert to anticipate floods in the province and continued to monitor the condition in the Batanghari DAS.
He said the floods from the Batanghari DAS could at anytime engulf Jambi city and surrounding areas, such as Muaro Jambi regency.
In Jember regency, East Java, a number of roads were engulfed by floods triggered by heavy rains from Sunday evening until Monday morning.
“A number of roads in Ajung and Jenggawah districts were swamped by water at a depth of 30 to 50 cm,” Jember regency councilor Bambang Hariyanto said as quoted by Antara on Monday.
The floods did not reach residential areas but only overflowed to the roads and disrupted traffic along the streets.
In the city center, floods also hit Jl. Hayam Wuruk in Kaliwates district and caused traffic congestion.
“Flood water as high as an adult’s knee caused traffic to back up traffic at quite a long distance as public vans and motorcycles stalled on the road,” said local resident Antoni.
He cited the frequent floods on Jl. Hayam Wuruk that were due to poor underground drainage systems which caused flooding in a matter of hours when it rained. Jl. Hayam Wuruk is one of the main thoroughfares in Jember regency which is badly affected during heavy rain.
“I have asked the regency administration to repair the drainage system so Jl. Hayam Wuruk would not be flooded again, especially now during the rainy season as rainfall is predicted to be high in Jember,” he said.
In Solok regency, West Sumatra, heavy rains from Saturday afternoon triggered a landslide in Jorong Balai Tangah, Bupak village, Gunung Talang district, and cut traffic to Koto Anau village, Lembang Jaya district for more than 20 hours.
Based on observation in Solok on Sunday, besides the landslide, the heavy rains also caused several regions in Solok regency to be engulfed by floods.
“The landslide took place before dusk. The road from Supak to Koto Anau and surrounding villages, was impassable for more than 20 hours,” said local community leader Muncak, 45.
He added that an excavator and four trucks from the local public works office had been operating since Monday morning to clear the debris.
He added that dozens of coconut, clove and cocoa trees owned by residents were damaged by falling
materials.
“We don’t know whether or not there are casualties because traffic from Cupak to Koto Anau is always dense and the area is also densely populated. We have to be extra careful when excavating the area,” said Cupak village chief Dasril.
Meanwhile, a landslide occurred in Garut regency, West Java, on Saturday night, cutting the road connecting the regency and its southern districts.
The Garut BPBD Dikdik Hendrajaya said that his agency had deployed workers to the landslide location in Gunung Gelap hamlet, Mekarwangi village, on Sunday to help clear the land.
Heavy rains that pounded the area for hours were believed to have caused the landslide
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di 2 dec 2014 - 6:21