Indonesia, Flooding in West Java

JAKARTA - Flooding is not really a new thing for the community around the banks of the Citarum River in Bandung Regency, West Java Province. Moreover in Baleendah and Majalaya Subdistricts because in a year people can experience flooding around 10 times.

Medium to high intensity rainfall that has fallen since Wednesday 6/3/2019 has caused flooding in 12 villages / sub-districts in 10 sub-districts in Bandung Regency on 6/3/2019 until now.

Areas that are flooded are in the Districts of Dayeuhkolot, Baleendah, Bojongsoang, Rancaekek, Cileunyi, Majalaya, Banjaran, Cicalengka, Kutawaringin, and Ibun.

Floods are caused by overflow of the Citarum River and drainage that is not able to drain surface runoff. The flood height is between 40 cm to 280 cm.

A total of 22,105 HHs were affected by flooding:
• Baleendah District 5,271 households
• Sub-district. Dayeuhkolot 3,005 families.
• Bojongsoang District 2,370 households.
• Rancaekek Subdistrict 3.383 KK.
• Cileunyi District 3,373 households.
• Majalaya District 1,929 households.
• Banjaran District 2,414 households.
• Cicalengka District 85 families
• Kutawaringin District 25 families.
• Ibun 250 KK District.


Even though the floods were quite extensive and residents' houses were flooded, only 90 families / 283 people were displaced. Displacement of refugees as follows:
• Kec. Dayeuh collects 5 families / 17 people.
• Kec. Baleendah: 68 kk / 226 people.
• Kec. Bojongsoang: 17 families / 40 people.
Chronology:
As a result of the high intensity of rainfall since Wednesday (03/05/2019), the Ciatarum river is overflowing again.
BPBD TRC Kab. Bandung along with TNI, Polri, Basarnas, PMI, Tagana, SKPD, and volunteers evacuated victims. Assistance is channeled to refugees.
Repeated flooding in this area requires comprehensive handling of the Citarum watershed. Baleendah area and its surroundings are densely populated settlements and industries. The topographic condition is concave with the base of the Citarum River shallow due to sedimentation. Frequent flooding in settlements causes people to adapt to existing natural conditions. The community has prepared a boat and knows where they have to evacuate. There are rarely fatalities even though they are often flooded.
Sutopo Purwo Nugroho
Head of BNPB's Data Information and Public Relations Center