'La Nina' Hits Indonesia: Flooding in South Sulawesi and West Kalimantan, Jakarta on Alert

Indonesian National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB) has advised local authorities in 34 provinces to increase preparedness in order to deal with the La Nina phenomenon. This is aimed to prevent and avoid the adverse effects of hydro meteorological hazards, such as floods, flash floods, landslides and strong winds.

"We are now not only fighting against the pandemic, but also other disasters, one of which is the hydrometeorological disaster," explained the Head of BNPB, Lt. Gen. Ganip Warsito, on Friday (29/10/2021), at the National Coordination Meeting on Anticipation of La Nina which was held online. 

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The condition of houses affected by floods in Sanggau Regency, West Kalimantan Province (25/10/2021). (BPBD Sanggau Regency)

BNPB have asked local governments to always carry out education and socialization to the public regarding preparedness for hydrometeorological disasters. One of the educations that can be given is if it rains with a duration of more than one hour and  if visibility is less than 30 meters, then the community in the cliff side area and along the river must be evacuated temporarily.

Quoted from CBBC Indonesia, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has put DKI Jakarta, West Java and South Kalimantan on alert category for flooding for 1-2 November 2021.

Flash floods in Palopo City

Flash floods hit several villages in Palopo City, South Sulawesi, on Saturday night (30/10/2021). The incident took place at 20.00 local time. BPBD reported that some residents fled to places of worship.

The Regional Disaster Management Agency of Palopo City reported that the incident hit four villages in Telluwanua District. Residents fled to the Nurul Ikhlas mosque in Jaya Village. Authorities in the field are still collecting data on residents who are in the area.

In addition to recording the affected residents, officers are also still collecting data on material losses due to the flash flood. There has been no report of casualty.

BPBD Palopo City together with village officials and other relevant partners carried out the evacuation process for residents, especially vulnerable groups. In carrying out data collection and services for affected residents, BPBD is assisted by Rumah Zakat volunteers.

Kapuas River Overflowed

As many as 1,000 houses in 5 sub-district of Sanggau Regency, West Kalimantan are flooded. This incident was triggered by high intensity rain and the overflow of the Kapuas River which occurred on Monday (25/10/2021) at 05.00 local time. 

Based on a report received by the BNPB Operations Control Center, as of Saturday (30/10/2021) at 12.50 local time, this flood has affected 1,166 families or  4,112 people with water levels ranging from 10 to 50 centimeters.

The Regional Disaster Management Agency of Senggau Regency immediately carried out further data collection and carried out intensive coordination with the local government. Currently the Senggau BPBD and a joint team are setting up evacuation posts at several points, but many residents still choose to stay in their respective homes. Logistics distribution is also continuously carried out for affected residents to meet basic needs.

Flood in Tangerang

Rain with high intensity triggered flooding in Bakti Jaya Village, Setu District, South Tangerang City, Banten. Clogged drainage exacerbated the incident that occurred on Sunday (31/10) at 15:00 local time.

The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of South Tangerang City reported that 31 families are affected and 31 houses are submerged. The height of the water at the time of the incident ranged from 60  to 100 centimeters. Residents have evacuated to local health facilities and relatives' homes.

"We were evacuated to the posyandu (health facility) and other residents' houses. We put up tents belonging to local residents in front of the posyandu," explained Essa Nugraha from BPBD of South Tangerang City. There are no casualties reported as a result of this incident.

Residents' Activities Return to Normal in Post-Flood Gorontalo and Bogor 

Residents' activities returned to normal after the floodwaters receded in two regencies, namely Gorontalo Regency in Gorontalo Province, and Bogor Regency, West Java. Today, Sunday (31/10) people in each region are busy cleaning up debris carried by the flood.

The Gorontalo Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) said that four villages were affected in West Limboto District. The affected communities in the four villages amounted to 206 families or 831 people. There were no reports of injuries in the incident that occurred on Saturday (30/10/2021), at 16.50 local time. Previously, It was reported  that 170 housing units were affected by the overflow of the Marisa River with a water level of 10-50 cm.

Flooding has also receded in the Bogor Regency, West Java Province,  Sunday (31/10/2021), at 14.00 local time. The latest data from the Bogor Regency BPBD recorded 2,987 families or 10,487 affected residents. They are spread over three villages in Gunung Putri sub-district.

A total of 2,135 housing units were flooded with water level of 10 to 100 cm. BPBD Bogor Regency identified the cause of flooding, namely rain with high rainfall so that the water discharge of the Cileungsi and Ciranggon rivers overflowed, as well as poor drainages.