Floods hit various districts in the provinces of Indonesia as a result of the La Nina phenomenon. Thousands of houses are flooded with varying water levels. Fatalities were unavoidable when a flash flood hit Batu City. As many as 15 people were swept away by the current, 6 of them were found dead and 3 are still missing. Meanwhile, at least 21,000 housing units are flooded in Sintang Regency, West Kalimantan. Two casualties were reported. 

Flash floods hit Batu City in East Java,  after a heavy rain flushed the upstream area of ​​the Brantas Watershed on the slopes of Mount Arjuno, Thursday (4/11), at 14.00 local time.

Based on an interim report from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Batu City, the flash flood incident caused 15 people to be swept away by the overflowing river. As many as 6 people have been found safe and the other 6 have lost their lives. As of November 6, 2021, 3 others are still being searched. 

Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency has predicted that La Nina will take place with weak to moderate intensity, at least until February 2022. 

Mud from the flash floods which hit Batu City in East Java, after heavy rains flushed the upstream area of the Brantas Watershed on the slopes of Mount Arjuno, Thursday (4/11/2021), at 14.00 local time. (BPBD Batu City)

Based on an interim visual report from the Batu City BPBD, the flow of the Brantas tributary that passes in Sumber Brantas Village, Bumiaji District, Batu City, was observed to be flowing very fast carrying some mud, stones and tree pieces as well as building debris.

According to an interim report, the flash flood had an impact on 5 villages in Bumiaji District, Batu City. 

Material loss data temporarily recorded by the Batu City BPBD includes four vehicles that were washed away and one unit of a house that was submerged. Other losses are still in the process of being assessed in the field.

In order to accelerate the handling of the flash floor, or Banjir Bandang as the locals call it, the Batu City BPBD Team assisted by the TNI (Indonesian Armed Forces) and Polri (Indonsian Police) have coordinated, conducted a rapid assessment, collected further data and prepared locations for refugees.

The team also focused on searching for victims and evacuating or rescuing residents affected by flooding as well as cleaning up facilities and infrastructure.

"Emergency operations have been carried out, but for tonight the focus is on seeking help as well as cleaning and restoring vital infrastructure and roads covered in mud," explained Achmad Choirur Rochim, as Head of Emergency and Logistics of BPBD Batu City on Thursday (4/11/2021). 

In a separate statement, the Malang City BPBD reported that flooding occurred in a riverside settlement in the Brantas watershed area that crosses Samaan Village, Klojen District, Malang City. The flood also caused several houses in Jatimulyo Village to be submerged in water with the water level of approximately 10 centimeters. 

Flash floods also hit Malang Regency, East Java, after heavy rain hit the area on Thursday (4/11) at 17:23 WIB. Besides being triggered by weather factors, the flash flood is also thought to have occurred due to blockages in the form of wood waste material and bamboo piles in the upstream of the Susuh River. 

The flash flood, according to a report from the Regional Disaster Management Agency of Malang Regency, has caused the death of two residents which are currently still in the identification stage.

Malang Regency, Malang City and Batu City form the Greater Malang metropolitan area which is located in East Java, Indonesia. 

Meanwhile, a flash flood also hit Lamongan Regency, East Java Province  on Thursday (4/11/2021). The water has now receded. This is based on a report received by the authorities as of Friday (5/11) at 11.00 local time. No casualties were reported however 36 houses and roads were damaged by the flash floods. 

In an effort to deal with the anticipation of La Nina, National Disaster Management Agency urges the public to further increase vigilance and preparedness. The agency has advised the public to prepare a disaster preparedness bag, a rescue plan, and making sure the evacuation route out of the house is not blocked by household furniture.

Massive Flooding in Sintang Submerge 21,000 Housing Units, 2 Fatalities Reported

Based on the report from the Operations Control Center of the National Disaster Management Agency (Pusdalops BNPB) as of November 4, 2021, at 18:55 local, it was recorded that two people had died due to flooding. One person who died was found in Tempunak District and the other in Binjai District, Sintang District, West Kalimantan Province.

Floods have occurred due to heavy rains since the last two weeks, namely since October 21 2021, at 10.00 local time, with a maximum water level of about 300 centimeters or approximately 10 feet.

Floods have occurred in Sintang Regency due to heavy rains since Thursday (21/10/2021), with a water level of about 300 centimeters. (BPBD Sintang Regency)

The Regional Disaster Management Agency of Sintang Regency is still collecting data in the field regarding the death toll and other injuries.

Temporary data compiled by the BNPB as of Thursday (4/11), the number of affected residents is 24,522 families  or 87,496 people. In addition, as many as 21,000 housing units, places of worship, and 5 bridge units are  also affected by the flood.

Until Friday, November 5, 2021, there are 12 sub-districts that are still flooded, including Kayan Hulu District, Kayan Hilir District, Binjai Hulu District, Sintang District, Sepauk District, Temunak District, Ketungau Hilir District, Dedai District, Serawai District, Ambalau District, Sei District. Tebelian and the District of Kelam Permai.

According to the report, currently the conditions on the provincial - district roads are still impassable for vehicles because they are still flooded. In addition, access to electricity and communication in the field is still constrained.

Flooding in Kapuas Hulu

Floods hit six sub-districts in Kapuas Hulu Regency, West Kalimantan on Wednesday (3/11/2021) afternoon. Floods triggered by high-intensity rains caused three rivers to overflow, namely the Sibau River, Mendalam River and Kapuas River. The overflow of these rivers has an impact on settlements in Silat Hilir sub-district, Selimbau sub-district, Semitau sub-district, Badau sub-district, Suhaid sub-district and Batang Lupar sub-district.

Referring to data released by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNBP) on Thursday (4/11/2021), 1,818 families  or 6,524 people were affected by flooding with the highest water level of up to 200 centimeters at the time of the incident. In addition, there were 1,084 housing units that were also submerged, some residents evacuated independently by evacuating to a relative's place which are safer from flooding. No casualties were reported.

Flooding in Gorontalo  

A total of 277 houses were flooded in the Gorontalo Province. This incident hit three sub-districts in the administrative area of Bone Bolango Regency. The locations are Tuloa Village, Kopi Village Village, Dam Village in North Bulango District, Ayola Telango Village in South Bulango District, Oata Village in Bulango Ulu District.

The BNPB Operations Control Center collected data from the BPBD of Bone Bolango Regency as of Friday (5/11), stating that there were 368 families  or 1,231 people affected by the flood. The water level at the time of flooding ranges from 30 to 150 centimeters. No casualties were reported

Flooding in Semarang City 

The flood that hit Semarang City, Central Java Province, last Thursday (4/11), at 18.40 local time, has receded. The incident was triggered by high-intensity rain so that the water discharge of the Plumbon River overflowed and the Parapet embankment burst in the Mangkang Kulon area.

The development of the receding flood was informed by the Semarang City BPBD on Friday night (5/11), at 20.00 local time. Previously, the water level when the flood occurred ranged from 30 to 100 cm. A total of 57 families or 209 people in Mangkang Kulon Village, Tugu District, Semarang City, were affected by this incident. No casualties were reported.