Around 15,000 homes in Bandung regency, West Java, were inundated following heavy rain
over the past few days, while more floods and bad weather are expected throughout the
archipelago in the coming week.
Bandung regency Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) chief Marlan said residents in seven
districts who previously insisted on satying in their flooded homes were being evacuated.
“Many of them who had chosen to stay have requested evacuation help,” Marlan told The
Jakarta Post.
The affected districts are Baleendah, Banjaran, Bojongsoang, Cicalengka, Dayeuhkolot,
Rancaekek and Soreang.
More than 4,000 people have left their homes since floods hit on Friday morning. “The number
continues to grow because evacuations are ongoing,” Marlan said.
The agency has prepared shelters in the districts, including at police and military headquarters
and houses of worship.
Heavy rain caused the Citarum River to overflow, pouring water into Baleendah, Dayeuhkolot
and Bojongsoang districts. Flooding worsened after a section of the riverbank collapsed in
Cileunyi.
Roads were also inundated in Baleendah, Bojongsoang and Dayeuhkolot, while flooding has
also forced state-owned electricity company PT PLN to shut down three power stations in
Baleendah for safety.
A spokesman for PLN’s West Java and Bandung distribution office Agus Yuswanta said the
shutdown affected around 1,800 homes in Parung Halang, Andir, Cigado, Cikarees,
Cieunteung and Kulalet.
“We will turn on the power once authorities deem it is safe for us to do so,” Agus said.