Indonesia: Floods submerge 1,000 ha of rice fields in Kulon Progo

Antara 3 Dec 17;

Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - Floods submerged 1,000 hectares of rice fields in five sub-districts in Kulon Progo District, Yogyakarta special autonomous province.

"There are 1,000 hectares of rice fields that have been flooded. The floods have begun to subside since Saturday. Panjatan sub-district is the worst hit by flooding," Sasongko, head of the agriculture office of Yogyakarta, said here, Sunday.

Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X has instructed the district administration to compensate farmers who have lost their paddies if they are not covered by insurance.

The Sultan has extended the period of natural disaster emergency response status for two weeks, beginning Dec 6. Earlier, the emergency status was declared on Nov 29 until Dec 5, 2017.

Yogyakarta has declared an emergency alert status following natural disasters, such as floods, landslides, and whirlwinds, that hit the region. The

The National Meteorological, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency had reported that extreme weather will continue for three days, but Yogyakarta has declared an emergency status for a week, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, the governor of Yogyakarta, stated here, Wednesday.

The decision to declare the emergency status was taken during a coordination meeting on disaster mitigation attended by officials of the Yogyakarta disaster mitigation office.

By declaring the emergency status, district and provincial authorities could use the reserve funds for disaster mitigation efforts.

The severe weather has been triggered by the Cempaka dan Dahlia tropical cyclones.

The Yogyakarta finance office has allocated Rp14 billion for disaster mitigation efforts.

According to data from Yogyakarta city`s disaster mitigation office, landslides hit nine locations and whirlwinds also affected nine locations, claiming the lives of three residents.

In Kulon Progo, 20 locations were hit by whirlwinds, 27 by landslides, and six by floods, affecting 58 people, injuring three, and leading to two others going missing.

reported by Sutarmi
(U.SYS/A/F001/F001)
Editor: Heru Purwanto


Floods hit 21 villages in Tebing Tinggi, N Sumatra
Antara 3 Dec 17;

Medan, N Sumatra (ANTARA News) - Floods have hit 21 villages in five sub-districts, Tebing Tinggi, North Sumatra Province, since Saturday.

The flooding was triggered by incessant heavy rains in upstream areas in Simalungun District and Pematang Siantar, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), said in a statement, here, Sunday.

Padang and Bahilang Rivers have spilled over their banks because of the heavy rains.

A total of 21,080 people or 5,985 families have been affected by the flooding.

The Tebing Tinggi disaster mitigation office has set up emergency tents to accommodate evacuees. Relief aid comprising rice, breads, instant noodles, and 10 thousand boxes of meals, have been distributed to flood victims.

The affected villages are among other things Pabatu, Padang Merbau, Tualang, Lubuk Raya, Lubuk Baru, and Persiakan, which are located in Padang Hulu sub-district.

In Bandar Utama sub-district, flooding hits Badak Bejuang, while in Tebing Tinggi, flood inundates Tebing Tinggi Lama.

Sri Padang, Karya Jaya, Tanjung Marulak, and Tanjung Marulak Hilir villages in Rambutan sub-district are also flooded.

In Bajenis sub-district, floods inundate Teluk Karang, Bulian, Brohol, Pinang Mancung, and Bandar Sakti. The villages of Satria and Tambangan Hulu in Padang Hilir sub-district, are also flooded.

(T.SYS/B/F001/F001)
Editor: Heru Purwanto


Flood submerges 444 homes in Simalungun, N Sumatra
Antara 3 Dec 17;

Simalungun, N Sumatra (ANTARA News) - A flood submerged 104 homes and affected 444 people in Serbelawan village, Simalungun District, North Sumatra Province, following incessant heavy rains.

"The flood waters came very fast, it was like a flash. We did not have time to save our belongings," Poniman, a local resident, said here, Saturday.

Reaching a height of up to three meters, the flood waters damaged several homes, places of worship, school buildings and other public facilities.

Deputy District Head of Simalungun Amran Sinaga and Head of the Simalungun Police Office Adjunct Senior Commissioner ML Pandjaitan visited the flooded areas.

Amran expressed concern over the natural disaster that hit Dolok Batu Nanggar sub-district.

The local authorities have set up emergency tents and a public kitchen and distributed relief aid that included rice.

Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called on the public to stay vigilant as several regions in Indonesia are experiencing severe weather lately.

"I call on the public to stay vigilant because the weather is very extreme," Jokowi told the media on Saturday.

Severe weather has triggered strong wind, heavy rains, and high sea waves.

The Head of State has instructed his relevant officials, particularly the personnel of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), and regional administrations, to anticipate the disaster and be ready to provide assistance to the public when needed.

"I have ordered the BNPB, TNI, Polri, Basarnas, concerned ministries, and regional administrations to be vigilant and help the public in case of any disaster. We have to anticipate the impacts of extreme weather, particularly on food production," he stated.

So far, there have been no reports on the weather`s impact on crop production; however, anticipation should be intensified.

"This is just December, there will be January," he said, referring to the peak of rainy season which falls in January and February.

reported by Waristo
(T.SYS/A/F001/F001)
Editor: Heru Purwanto


Floods hit Lhokseumawe and North Aceh District
Antara 3 Dec 17;

Lhokseumawe, Aceh (ANTARA News) - Floods had hit Lhokseumawe and North Aceh District in Aceh Darussalam Province, following incessant heavy rains over the past several days.

Flooding affected four villages in Blank Mangat sub-district, Lhoksemawe. The four villages were Mane Kareung, Rayeuk Kareung, Asan Kareung and Blang Punteut, Ahmad, a local villager, said here, Saturday.

In Matang Kuli, North Aceh District, floods affected more than 10 villages, such as Hagu, Alue Thoe, Lawang, Tumpok Barat, Mee, Alue Euntok, Ceubrek Pirak, Tanjong Haji Muda, Meuria, Siren, Meunye Pirak and Pante Pirak.

The flood waters reached a height of between 60 cm and 80 cm. The worst flood-affected villages were Lawang and West Tumpok located along the bank of Keureto River.

In the current rainy season, floods and landslides have affected several provinces, such as North Sumatra, West Java, Central Java, East Java, Yogyakarta, Riau, West Kalimantan, and Central Kalimantan.

Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called on the public to stay vigilant as several regions in Indonesia are experiencing severe weather lately.

"I call on the public to stay vigilant because the weather is very extreme," Jokowi told the media on Saturday.

Severe weather has triggered strong wind, heavy rains, and high sea waves.

The Head of State has instructed his relevant officials, particularly the personnel of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), and regional administrations, to anticipate the disaster and be ready to provide assistance to the public when needed.

"I have ordered the BNPB, TNI, Polri, Basarnas, concerned ministries, and regional administrations to be vigilant and help the public in case of any disaster. We have to anticipate the impacts of extreme weather, particularly on food production," he stated.

reported by Mukhlis
(T.SYS/A/F001/F001)
Editor: Heru Purwanto