The agency's head, Endro Martanto, noted that the flooding, triggered by heavy rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday, firstly inundated 30 sub-districts, though on Friday, the number of flood-hit sub-districts had decreased to 17.
"The floodwaters have started receding," he remarked, adding that a joint team of personnel from the BPBD and other government agencies continue to focus on evacuating the flood victims and delivering food to those in need.
"We prioritize cooked meals, and the logistics for the flood victims can only be delivered by using inflatable boats," he revealed.
Trimulyo Sub-district bore the maximum brunt of the disaster, with floodwaters having reached more than one meter in height, Martanto stated.
ANTARA noted that Semarang, the capital of Central Java Province, has repeatedly been hit by flooding over the past few years.
In 2021, flash floods inundated Semarang City's Kota Lama (Old Town) neighborhood and several other areas due to extreme rainfall and tidal flooding, Public Works and Housing Minister Basoeki Hadimoeljono noted.
Based on the hydrological analysis, the 2021 rainfall was a 50-year recurrence interval, Hadimoeljono stated.
The central government is aware of Semarang's vulnerability to flooding. Hence, the drainage system in Kota Lama, which had been revitalized, was designed as part of the city's flood prevention measure.
The water pumps were also indispensable to deal with flood-related events.
Apart from revitalizing the drainage system of Kota Lama, also known as Oude Staat or Little Netherlands owing to its colonial buildings, the revitalization of rivers flowing through Semarang City, was to be continued, he remarked.
Various parts of Indonesia are prone to natural disasters. Within the initial three months of 2024, several hydrological disasters have struck the islands of Sumatra and Java.
In January 2024, flash floods hit several areas in six districts of Riau Province, affecting 131,834 residents, inundating 32,303 houses, and submerging certain sections of the Trans Sumatra Road. Related news: W Sumatra: 16 killed in flash floods, landslides
Related news: Flash floods, landslides hit two villages in NTB's Sumbawa Island
Translator: IC Senjaya, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
