Heavy rain triggers floods in three provinces: BNPB

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours had triggered flooding in parts of Central Sulawesi, South Kalimantan, and West Java provinces.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, Abdul Muhari, head of BNPB's Data, Information, and Disaster Communication Center, said overflowing rivers inundated thousands of homes and public facilities and forced some residents to evacuate.

BNPB's Disaster Management Operations Center (Pusdalops) reported that flooding hit Tuladenggi Pantai Village in Moutong Sub-district, Parigi Moutong District, Central Sulawesi, on Monday.

The flooding affected 66 residents and inundated 66 houses, one health facility, one place of worship, and one public facility.

Flooding also struck Tapin and Hulu Sungai Tengah districts in South Kalimantan.

In Tapin District, flooding inundated 155 houses in Lawahan Village, South Tapin Sub-district, affecting 589 residents.

In Hulu Sungai Tengah District, overflowing rivers inundated three sub-districts, damaging 2,489 houses, 12 places of worship, 13 educational facilities, and 15 office buildings, with floodwaters reaching 10-60 centimeters.

Flooding also hit Cirebon District, West Java, after rivers overflowed into residential areas in four sub-districts.

A total of 1,363 houses were inundated, affecting 5,139 residents, while 30 people evacuated to relatives' homes.

"Floodwaters in Parigi Moutong and Cirebon have started to recede. However, regional disaster mitigation agency officers remain on alert to carry out emergency response measures, rapid assessments, and evacuations to safer areas," Muhari said.

BNPB urged residents and regional governments to remain alert for possible hydrometeorological disasters amid continued heavy rainfall.

Residents living near riverbanks were advised to monitor water levels and evacuate immediately if heavy rain persists for a prolonged period.