Seven Districts in Bekasi Regency Submerged by Floods

Seven Districts in Bekasi Regency Submerged by Floods
Aerial photo of the broken Ciliwung bridge due to the overflow of the Ciliwung river in Jogjogan Village, Cisarua, Bogor Regency, West Java. (ANTARA FOTO/Yulius Satria Wijaya/foc.)

SEAToday.com, Jakarta - Heavy rainfall since Monday night has caused severe flooding in seven districts of Bekasi Regency, West Java, submerging residential areas, major roads, and even industrial zones.

"Floodwaters in these areas range from 20 to 150 centimeters in depth," said Dodi Supriadi, Head of Emergency and Logistics at the Bekasi Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), in Cikarang on Tuesday, as quoted on Antara.

The affected districts include Cibarusah, Serang Baru, Setu, Cikarang Utara, Cibitung, Tambun Utara, and Bojongmangu. According to Dodi, the floods were triggered by prolonged heavy rainfall, inflows from Bogor and surrounding areas, and poor drainage systems that hinder water runoff.

As a result, hundreds of homes have been inundated, road access has been disrupted, and daily activities have come to a standstill. Some residents were forced to evacuate as floodwaters entered their homes, while several major roads were submerged, making it difficult for vehicles to pass.

BPBD, along with joint rescue teams from the military (TNI), police (Polri), and disaster relief volunteers, has been evacuating residents in severely affected areas such as Tambun Utara, Serang Baru, and Cibarusah. 

"Rescue teams are using rubber boats to evacuate residents trapped in deep floodwaters," Dodi stated as quoted on Antara.

With further rainfall expected in the coming days, authorities have urged residents in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant. "For those still staying in their homes, we advise them to move valuables to higher ground and be prepared for possible evacuation," he added as quoted on Antara.

BPBD has also coordinated with relevant agencies to implement emergency measures, including drainage improvements, embankment reinforcements, and the distribution of essential supplies to affected residents. 

"Floodwaters remain stagnant in many critical areas, and with cloudy skies signaling more rain, our teams are on standby at key locations with necessary aid," Dodi concluded as quoted on Antara.

Writer: Andi Raisa Malaha Thambas