December 30, 2024
JAKARTA – Extreme weather conditions that continue to hit the country amid the year-end holidays have resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals and caused thousands of others to flee their homes for safety.
According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), three people including an 8-year-old boy died in landslides that hit Karang Anyar subdistrict in Tarakan, North Kalimantan, early on Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, heavy rain in Simalungun regency, North Sumatra, caused the Bah Sombu River to overflow and wash away a house with two people inside, both of whom died in the incident, which occurred around 8 a.m. on Christmas Day.
The BNPB also recorded flooding in Situbondo, East Java, and Mandailing Natal, North Sumatra, several days ago, leaving 134 houses inundated in Situbondo and 80 people affected in Mandailing Natal.
Separately, the Hulu Sungai Tengah Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) reported flooding that affected over 6,000 residents in Barabai, Pandawan and Batu Benawa districts in Hulu Sungai Tengah regency, South Kalimantan, over the past two days.
“Rain has been falling continuously for several days, causing the water levels to rise,” said Hulu Sungai Tengah BPBD head Ahmad Apandi while inspecting the affected site in Barabai on Thursday night.
At least 25 rescue personnel have been deployed to assist the affected individuals. In addition, two excavators were used to clear debris from several river sections to mitigate the flooding as authorities reported that 2,210 houses, 21 places of worship, 12 schools, five offices and two traditional markets were inundated.
“We urge the public to remain vigilant due to the ongoing heavy rainfall. Please contact the authorities if assistance is needed, we will respond promptly,” said Apandi, as quoted by Antara.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has warned of heavy rain, possibly with lightning and strong winds, in parts of Indonesia until the beginning of next year.
Heavy rain is projected to fall in Riau, Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java, Yogyakarta, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, North Sulawesi and Central Sulawesi. Meanwhile, strong winds are predicted for Lampung, Banten, Jakarta, Central Java, East Java, Yogyakarta and South Sulawesi.
The BMKG has warned that extreme weather in the country could last until April, with rainfall expected to increase by 20 percent due to La Ninã weather phenomenon.
Agency chief Dwikorita Karnawati said that the dynamics in the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO), which is a major tropical weather system, and a cold surge from mainland Asia to the western part of Indonesia could increase rainfall intensity and volume across the archipelago.
“Such conditions during the rainy season increase risks of hydrometeorological disasters,” Dwikorita said in a statement earlier this month, asking the public to keep an eye on weather forecasts, especially during the year-end holiday season, which will see increased mobility by people around the country. (vny)