Tangerang, Banten (ANTARA) – Heavy rainfall over some parts of Tangerang district in Banten province on Sunday (February 26)triggered flooding, which inundated 25 houses in the area, according to the Tangerang Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD).On Monday (February 27), the houses, which are located in a housing complex in Pasar Kemis sub-district, got affected after the heavy rain caused a pond and a river to overflow. “The flooding is triggered by the overflows of Ranca Gelam Pond and Cirarab River. Some 50 people from 25 households suffer,” head of the Tangerang Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), Ujat Sudrajat, said. Several affected residents of the Villa Tomang Baru housing complex have fled their homes while others have continued staying at their respective houses, he said. “About ten displaced residents have moved to a small mosque in the neighborhood area,” he disclosed, adding that several sub-districts facing flooding include Teluk Naga, Kosambi, and Pasar Kemis. The Tangerang Disaster Mitigation Agency has also received reports saying that the heavy rainfall on Sunday also triggered a landslide, damaging 8 homes in Carenang village of Cisoka sub-district. Besides causing a landslide, the torrential rain also toppled several trees in the areas of Kronjo, Cikupa, Tigaraksa, Mauk, and Pasar Kemis sub-districts, he added. To protect local residents from the catastrophic impacts of unexpected hydrometeorological disasters in the midst of the current extreme weather conditions, he urged them to stay vigilant. NTARA reported earlier that many parts of Indonesia remain vulnerable to a variety of hydrometeorological disasters. Dr. Indra Permanajati, a disaster mitigation expert at General Soedirman University (Unsoed), has underlined the importance of preparing mitigatory measures and raising awareness on hydrometeorological disasters during the transition from dry to rainy season. The coordinator of geological disasters at the Mitigation Center of Jenderal Soedirman University explained that hydrometeorological disasters are those that are influenced by water-related fluctuations, including looking into it and rainfall. Permanajati said he believes that such disasters include floods, landslides, and strong winds that could be affected by changing seasons. Hence, he highlighted the need for the community to increase awareness in the event of moderate- to high-intensity rainfall for a long duration. baca-jugaRelated news: Proper waste management crucial to control flooding: Minister Uno Related news: Floods swamp Tangerang City, Banten

Source: Antara News Agency