Abdi Purmono (Contributor), Jakarta – Heavy rains across Malang City of East Java led to flooding, submerging at least 230 houses and disrupting roads in Blimbing, Purwantoro, and Bunulrejo of Blimbing sub-district on Tuesday, October 19.

The Malang Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) reported that the flooding was due to extreme weather which resulted in high-intensity rainfall from 1:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. local time.

"230 families were affected by the floods. Heavy rains also caused traffic jams on several roads where many vehicles broke down. Business places and houses contained mud. The flood has receded now," said the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesman Abdul Muhari in a press release on Wednesday, October 20.

He said the BPBD rapid response team had been dispatched to carry out assessment of damage, losses, and affected resources in the area, as well as cleaning up materials and waste due to the flooding.

Based on the BNPB's disaster risk index platform dubbed InaRISK, there is potential for flooding in Malang City in the medium to high category. The area covers all five sub-districts, namely Kedungkandang, Sukun, Klojen, Blimbing, and Lowokwaru.

The BNPB further appealed to the public to remain vigilant over more flooding if high-intensity rain continued for more than an hour. The agency also reminded that anticipatory efforts such as optimization and cleaning of waterways need to be carried out, as well as tree branches that have the potential to break during rains and strong winds need to be trimmed.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1519605/hundreds-of-houses-in-malang-flooded-after-hour-long-heavy-rain