Irsyan Hasyim (Contributor), Jakarta – The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) explained flash floods in Sentani, Jayapura were triggered by extreme downpours and forest damage.

"The rainfall reached 248.5 millimeters and lasted for seven hours," said BNPB spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho in Jakarta today, March 18.

According to him, the figure was too extreme considering it was commonly reached within a month. "But this [rainfall] occurs for seven hours, starting at 17:00 to 24:00 local time," Sutopo added.

Sutopo continued the flash floods were also attributable to deforestation and encroachment of a nature reserve, Cycloops mountains, by 43,030 people or 753 families since 2003.

"A total of 2,415 hectares of rain catchment area was used as residential and plantation areas," he noted.

Deforestation, Sutopo added, was conducted for land clearing and housing construction. "Nine sub-districts that are inundated by floods are of alluvial land and located adjacent to the slopes."

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1186601/bnpb-sentani-flash-floods-caused-by-downpours-forest-damage