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looding has struck several areas in Central Java over recent days, displacing thousands of local residents and cutting off access to main roads.

For the last few days, the overflowing Pemali, Cisaranggung and Babakan rivers have damaged embankments, causing flooding in several areas including Brebes, Wanasari, Banjarharjo, Losari and Jatibarang.

In Brebes regency alone, around 5,000 people in 10 villages have been evacuated from their inundated homes.

Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo said the provincial administration had taken over the task of disaster management.

“The flood has become serious so I’ve taken over the management. Moreover, Brebes is now in transition after the regional election,” Ganjar said in Semarang, Central Java, on Saturday as quoted by Antara.

For the first step, Ganjar deployed heavy equipment to repair the damaged Pemali River embankment.

The repair work, Ganjar said, would be costly and the process could take up to two months.

Ganjar also instructed the Central Java Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) to help evacuate the people. “In such a disaster, the people come first,” he said.

He has ensured that there is enough aid for the evacuees. “I have checked with the BPBD. If the cities or regencies are lacking in logistics, they can ask the province for help,” he added.

He also asked the Bina Marga and Cipta Karya public works agencies as well as the water resources and spatial planning public works agency to stay alert and prepare for a worsening situation.

Data from the BPBD Brebes on Saturday showed that floodwaters in 16 villages had reached a depth of 30 to 150 centimeters, affecting approximately 1,500 houses.

Flooding also cut off access to the main road connecting Brebes and Tegal regencies through Jatibarang.

Central Java search and rescue team spokesperson Zulhawary Agustianto said the areas worst impacted by the flood were Terlangu and Kemaron villages.

“Those two villages are located near the damaged embankment. The flood was 1 meter deep in certain areas,” Agustianto said.

The three biggest evacuation shelters currently housing residents are Lengkong with 1,350 people, Brebes Sports Center with 1,075 residents and Pulosari with 850 residents. Wisma Saditan is accommodating the smallest number of residents, with only 30 people taking refuge there.

BPBD Brebes head Eko Andalas said the flood did not only strike villages near the Pemali River, but also villages near the damaged embankment along the Cisaranggung and Babakan rivers.

“The overflow of the rivers damaged six sections of the embankment and drowned thousands of houses,” he said.

The collective search and rescue team has channeled residents into the emergency tents build by the BPBD, the Search and Rescue Agency, the National Police and the Indonesian Military.

Meanwhile, landslides struck several areas in Semarang. A landslide occurred in Lerep Village and damaged six houses. A landslide also damaged village roads in five areas in east Ungaran district.

“The landslide occurred near the residential area,” said Heru Subroto, the head of the Semarang BPBD.

Dozens of military officers assisted the evacuation process and helped distribute food to residents in Sayung district, Demak regency.

Natural disasters have also recently hit other regions, including landslides in Karo, North Sumatra, Bangli, Bali, Majalengka, West Java, and floods in Gresik, East Java, and Demak, Central Java.