H

eavy rain in areas across Indonesia over several days has triggered flooding and landslides.

Several regencies of Central Java suffered severe flooding and landslides due to intense rainfall. After thousands of houses were inundated in Brebes, landslides hit Banjarnegara, Banyumas, Cilacap, Purbalingga and Temanggung. No casualties were reported as a result of the natural disasters, but dozens of houses sustained damage and hundreds of people were evacuated to safer places.

In Cilacap, a landslide occurred in the village of Padangjaya, Majenang district, on Tuesday. At least 62 residents were forced to leave their homes, which had been damaged in the landslide.

The Cilacap Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) reported landslides and land cracking on a total area of two hectares. A 250 meter long winding crack was found in the area.

Also in Cilacap, 14 residents of Bantarmangu village, Cimanggu district, were relocated due to landslides.

In Banjarnegara, landslides and land cracking occurred in Suwidak village, Wanayasa district. Thirteen houses were left uninhabitable after being almost completely flattened. Land subsidence in the area had begun in late December last year. At the time, the land had subsided only around 5 meters, but it has sunk a lot more since then.

“A team from the Geology Agency [at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry] has measured the extent of the land subsidence, which has reached around 39 meters. All residents here have been evacuated,” Suwidak village head Arif Santosa said.

In Purbalingga, flash floods swept away at least two houses in the village of Sirau early on Monday. There were no fatalities in the incident. In Banyumas, authorities closed down roads following landslides in Babakan village, Karanglewas district.

Floods damaged three houses in Parakan district, Temanggung regency. In Brebes, meanwhile, floods have receded and residents have returned to their homes. Earlier, around 5,000 residents from 12 villages and three districts had been evacuated.

In Jakarta, Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Puan Maharani said the government had imposed a state of heightened alert to anticipate extreme weather until March.

Speaking at the Vice Presidential Office in Jakarta on Tuesday, Puan said that based on data from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the government had instructed national coordination among the Home Ministry, the Social Affairs Ministry, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), local administrations and the local BPBDs.

The minister said she had asked Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo to remind all regional heads to pay close attention over the next two months and issue warnings on potential extreme weather to people in their
respective areas.

“I also have instructed the Social Affairs Ministry to allocate funds to provide food and other basic necessities,” she said, as quoted by news agency Antara.

Heavy downpours on three consecutive days starting on Feb. 19 have caused flooding in Bekasi (West Java), Jakarta and Tangerang (Banten).

On Tuesday, the BNPB reported flooding in 54 areas across Jakarta, including 11 in South Jakarta and seven in East Jakarta.

While there is still lots of rain in regions nationwide, parts of Riau have entered the dry season, causing hotspots.

According to BMKG Pekanbaru data obtained from the Terra and Aqua satellites, the 12 hotspots detected in Sumatra on Tuesday morning are all in Riau.

“Seven of the hotspots are indicated as fire spots, with a trust level of more than 70 percent. Four spots are in Rokan Hilir, while three others are in Indragiri Hilir, Pelalawan and Siak,” BMKB Pekanbaru data and information head Slamet Riyadi said on Tuesday.

On Monday, only seven hotspots were recorded in Riau, six of which were in Rokan Hilir and the seventh in Indragiri Hilir.

“Currently, coastal areas of Riau, including Rokan Hilir and Indragiri Hilir, are drier than other areas of the province. Local administrations should be more alert,” Slamet said.