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Flood hits Surakarta
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Children swim in an inundated area of Surakarta, Central Java, on Sunday. (JP/Ganug Nugroho Adi)
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ollowing extended heavy rainfall, floods have started to inundate roads and houses in Surakarta.Water reached up to 50 centimeters above the ground in several areas of the city on Sunday evening.
Flooded roads include Jl. Yosodipuro, Jl. Juanda, Jl. Adi Sucipto and Jl. Slamet Riyadi. Sumber subdistrict, the location of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s relatives’ houses, was also affected by the flood. Jokowi’s relatives’ houses were not flooded, but dozens of other houses nearby were inundated.
“The water is everywhere. The rainwater cannot directly flow into the river because of poor drainage systems,” said Irwanto, a resident, who was trapped in the inundated area on Sunday evening.
Meanwhile, Pucangsawit, the location of Surakarta Mayor FX Hadi “Rudi” Rudyatmm’s house, was also affected.
Gatot Sutanto, executive head of the Surakarta Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), confirmed that the flooding was caused by substandard drainage systems.
His agency has not declared an emergency status. “No, there is no emergency situation. It is only a matter of poor drainage systems,” Gatot added.
He said, however, that his agency would continue to monitor the condition of Bengaran Solo River.
“We are on alert to anticipate possible overflows of the water from Bengawan Solo into the city,” he added. (bbn)
