Flood Submerges 15 Houses in Sampang

Sampang, East Java (Antara) - A flood, triggered by incessant heavy rains, submerged at least 15 homes in Panyepen Village, Sampang District, East Java Province, on Monday.

The flood was also caused by the overflowing of Nyiburan River, Manaf, a local inhabitant, stated here, Monday.

Anang Djoenaedi, head of the Sampang disaster mitigation office, said his side has deployed personnel to handle the flooding.

Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) visited Pacitan, a district in East Java, recently hit by floods and landslides that had killed 25 people on Saturday.

In Krajan, Karang Ploso, Jokowi handed over aid to the people.

Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency Willem Rampangilei remarked that the president had called to complete the repair work on infrastructure damaged by floods and landslides in several regions in Java within three months.

"The policy of the president is that the repair of damaged strategic infrastructure must immediately be completed in addition to social and economic recovery efforts within a period of three months, so that the areas do not remain isolated for long periods of time," he stated.

A dam in Krajan broke due to flash floods at the end of November and is currently under repair, while several houses and school buildings have also been damaged.

During the visit, Jokowi was accompanied by Public Works Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, Education Minister Muhajir Effendi, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, Chief of Presidential Staff Teten Masduki, Presidential Special Staff Johan Budi, and East Java Governor.

"At present, we are still preparing a list of the damage caused by the hydrometeorological impact of the recent Cempaka hurricane disaster. It is massive. East, Central, and West Java have all been affected. We have discussed this matter with the public works ministry. The president has urged to take immediate action," Rampangilei revealed.

"The president's order is clear. First, it is to deal with evacuees, and the next is restoration, so that public services may become operational immediately followed by infrastructure repair," he remarked.(*)