Hundreds of flash-flood victims in Jember start to clean homes

Jember, East Java (ANTARA) - Hundreds of residents of Bumi Mangli Permai Housing affected by the flash flood in Jember District, East Java, began removing mud and debris from their homes on Monday.

The residents cleared mud from their homes and the streets with the assistance of volunteers, Jember Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) personnel, Indonesian Military members, and the National Police.

"We worked together to clean the houses that were deluged by floodwaters reaching 1.5 meters," Muhajir, a Kiai Haji Achmad Siddiq State Islamic University student renting a house in Bumi Mangli Permai, said.

Muhajir said that he and three of his friends were inside the house when the flash flood struck. Two of his friends were injured by broken fencing while trying to get away, he added.

He said the house, which he shared with his friends, was severely damaged and many pieces of furniture were washed away due to broken walls and fencing.

"Mattresses, mats, clothes, and some furniture were washed away. Even our textbooks were carried away by the flash flood. We were just thinking of how to survive it," he explained.

Hadi Sumarsono, who owns a minimarket inside the housing area, said he lost several gallons of water and a motorcycle in the flood.

"Many gallons of water were lost because of flash floods, even my motorcycle was found in a badly damaged condition," he added.

Based on data from the Jember Disaster Mitigation Agency, at least 440 houses and three public facilities were affected by the flash flood that hit three sub-districts: Panti, Kaliwates, and Rambipuji on Sunday (January 9, 2022) afternoon.

Three people died in the flood: a couple from Kemiri village of Panti sub-district were washed away by the river while trying to cross it, while one person died of cold, the agency said.