FILE photo. Some residents carry motorcycles on a cart to pass through a flooded street in Joglo, Jakarta, on March 22, 2024. - Photo: Antara
JAKARTA: (Bernama) A series of severe floods and strong winds have wreaked havoc across Indonesia, with continuous heavy rainfall causing widespread destruction, including submerged houses, damaged public facilities, and devastated agricultural areas.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) issued an update on Sunday (Jan 12), confirming the destruction in Java Island, North Maluku and South Kalimantan provinces.
In Central Java, floodwaters have inundated Pekalongan and Cilacap districts, while tidal flooding impacted the villages of Depok and Blacanan last Friday.
"Over 1,010 families have been affected, with more than 700 houses submerged. Water levels remain between 15 and 40 centimetres,” BNPB spokesperson Abdul Muhari said.
In Cilacap, overflow from the Cijambe and Cikamuning rivers flooded two villages, displacing about 200 people and causing significant agricultural damage, with 65 hectares of rice fields submerged.
Meanwhile, in East Halmahera, North Maluku, three hours of heavy rainfall on Saturday triggered floods in Minamin and Saolat villages, affecting 23 households.
The floodwaters also submerged essential infrastructure, including health facilities, and washed away a 10-tonne coconut harvest, with waters reportedly receding by 10 pm local time, Abdul Muhari said.
Adding to the chaos, strong winds hit Banjar district in South Kalimantan on Saturday afternoon, damaging 25 houses, with five severely destroyed.
Local authorities are actively clearing debris and providing assistance to those affected, with the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) coordinating relief efforts. - Bernama
