Over 30,000 people affected by major floods in Mataram: BPBD

Mataram (ANTARA) - The disaster management agency has reported that 7,676 families, or more than 30,000 people, have been affected by flooding in Mataram City and surrounding areas in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

Ahmadi, head of the NTB Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), said on Monday that six sub-districts in the city — Sandubaya, Mataram, Cakranegara, Sekarbela, Selaparang, and Ampenan — were impacted.

"There were 15 people injured and 520 displaced. Data collection is ongoing regarding fatalities and missing persons," he stated.

Ahmadi explained that moderate to heavy rainfall on Sunday, beginning around 2 p.m. local time, caused rivers in Mataram to overflow and inundate residential areas.

The flood swept away dozens of cars, uprooted trees, and caused the perimeter wall of the Sandubaya integrated waste disposal site to collapse onto a nearby road.

"Conditions are gradually returning to normal. Our team is currently clearing debris left by the flood," Ahmadi added.

He urged the public to exercise caution outdoors and to refrain from dumping garbage into waterways to help prevent flooding during the rainy season. Residents were also advised to remain alert for sudden downpours and strong winds.

According to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), rainfall in Mataram reached 4.2 billion liters.

Nuga Putrantijo, head of the NTB Climatology Station, noted that daily heavy rainfall is classified as up to 100 mm per day, while extreme hourly rainfall exceeds 50 mm per hour.