Flash Floods Hit Several Villages in Bojonegoro

Bojonegoro, E Java (Antara) - Flash floods have hit numerous villages in Bojonegoro District in East Java on Monday and inundated hundreds of houses.

Flash floods struck the villages of Sekar, Tambakrejo, Ngraho, and Margomulyo following the overflowing of the Bobol River, but Sekar Village Head Yusuf said the local residents were not evacuated, as the floodwaters had slowly begun to recede.

In the meantime, Regional Disaster Management Board (BPBD) spokesman Andik Sudjarwo reported that the flash floods had also affected the villages of Geneng, Meduri, and Margomulyo in Bojonegoro and had inundated at least 48 houses.

Earlier, the Bojonegoro Regional Disaster Management Board had extended the disaster alert status from March to April 2017.

A disaster alert status was declared for Bojonegoro District due to the flash floods caused by the Bengawan Solo River, landslides, and strong winds. The alert status was supposed to end in March, but the BPBD has extended it until April.

The disaster alert status is extended, as heavy rainfall is forecast to continue until April.

Bojonegoro District Head Suyono has decided to issue circulars to the public regarding the extension of the disaster alert status.

"Today, we inform various parties about the extension of the disaster alert status," Mulyono noted, adding that heavy rainfall in the days to come can cause flooding of the Bengawan Solo River, landslides, and even strong winds.(*)