Antara, Jakarta – Banyumas Regency, Central Java, was struck by severe floods and landslides on Sunday night, September 8, 2024. The Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) is currently responding to the disaster, which was caused by extreme weather conditions characterized by prolonged heavy rainfall.
According to Budi Nugroho, Head of the Banyumas BPBD, floods affected three villages: Pandansari Village in Ajibarang District and Cikawung Village and Pasiraman Kidul Village in Pekuncen District. Additionally, a landslide occurred in Cibangkong Village, Pekuncen District, specifically on a previously cracked district road.
"Due to approximately six hours of high-intensity rainfall, the cracked road section collapsed, measuring five meters long, four meters deep, and nine meters wide," Budi stated, as quoted by Antara in Purwokerto, Banyumas Regency, on Monday, September 9, 2024.
Heavy rainfall had been reported in Banyumas since Sunday afternoon, around 1:00 p.m. local time. The landslide occurred at 7:00 p.m. Although no casualties were reported, the landslide damaged a house belonging to a resident of Cibangkong Village, which was struck by a fallen tree.
"The financial losses caused by the landslide are still being calculated. The road remains passable for vehicles, and community service efforts are underway to clear the landslide debris," Budi explained.
Meanwhile, the flood submerging Pandansari Village was triggered by the overflowing Dondong River. Water inundated residential areas, reaching a height of 50 centimeters in yards and 20 centimeters inside houses.
"The overflowing Dondong River affected 35 families, comprising 105 people, in the Neighborhood/Community Unit RT05/RW03 area. Additionally, in RT03/RW03, 20 families consisting of 60 people were impacted," Budi noted.
In Cikawung Village, the flood was caused by the overflow of the Banjar Kawung irrigation channel. The flood affected the RT01/RW04, RT03/RW07, and RT03/RW04 areas, impacting at least three houses. Furthermore, the flood swept away approximately 3,000 fish seeds from ponds belonging to residents of RT01/RW07.
The flood in Pasiraman Kidul Village, particularly in the RT01 and RT02/RW01 areas, as well as RT01 and RT02/RW02, was triggered by overflowing irrigation, resulting in damage to four houses.
Budi urged Banyumas residents to remain vigilant as there is a possibility of further disasters. "Based on the weather forecast issued by BMKG, extreme weather conditions may persist until Monday," he stated, mentioning the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1914116/extreme-weather-floods-landslides-hit-4-villages-of-banyumas-regenc