Jakarta – A flood in Trenggalek regency, East Java, has cut off access to Jl. Soekarno-Hatta, a key national road leading into the city center. The floods, triggered by heavy rainfall on Sunday, affected several subdistricts, including Kelutan and Tamanan, in Trenggalek district, the seat of the regency with the same name.
In Kelutan subdistrict, water levels reached 1 to 1.5 meters, while floodwaters along the main road rose to 80-90 centimeters over a 200 m stretch, completely blocking vehicle passage, Antara news agency reported.
Several motorcyclists who attempted to pass through the flooded road suffered from engine failures. As of now, the route remains inaccessible to four-wheeled vehicles. As a result, the main route has been diverted through Karangan District.
The Trenggalek Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) reported that floods and landslides have affected 541 homes and 1,948 residents across 18 villages in eight districts.
The flooding also paralyzed essential public services, submerging a sub-district office, one health center, two elementary schools and two Islamic boarding schools.
The financial damage from the floods and landslides is estimated at Rp 37 million (US$2,310), with losses primarily caused by the collapse of three mahogany trees, as well as damage to homes and infrastructure. Four houses and a mosque in Munjungan village were also destroyed.
Kelutan subdistrict head Pamuji Rokhmat said the floods were caused by the collapse of the Ngasinan River embankment in Dukuh hamlet, which failed to contain the water.
"The water has not been able to recede because the elevation of the land is lower than the Ngasinan River, so a pump is needed to speed up the flow," Pamuji said on Monday, as quoted by Antara.
While residents have moved their valuables to higher ground, many household items were left submerged.
"We can't cook because the house is submerged. This condition really disrupts our daily activities," Sudin, a villager, said.