Indonesia: Flash flood strikes Ulu Ogan, South Sumatra

Antara 28 Mar 19;

A flash flood hit Kelumpang Village, Ulu Ogan Sub-district, Ogan Komering Ulu District, in South Sumatra Province, on Tuesday evening, following incessant heavy rain that triggered the Kepayang River to overflow its bank (Antara photo)

Baturaja, South Sumatra (ANTARA) - A flash flood hit Kelumpang Village, Ulu Ogan Sub-district, Ogan Komering Ulu District, in South Sumatra Province, on Tuesday evening, following incessant heavy rain that triggered the Kepayang River to overflow its bank.

The flooding did not last long, but it was among the worst experienced in the past 15 years, Dadang, a resident of Kelumpang, noted.

Floodwaters inundated tens of homes, with water levels reaching the height of an adult's waist, he explained.

No deaths were reported in the natural disaster but cause apparent damage, as it struck unexpectedly, submerging the goods and properties of local residents.

Several people took refuge in higher ground after their homes got inundated.

At least two major floods had struck Indonesia during this current transitional period, from the rainy to the dry season, as high precipitation continued to occur in several regions. Floods have reportedly struck the provinces of West Java, East Java, Lampung, East Nusa Tenggara, and Papua, among others. However, East Java and Papua bore the maximum impact of the flooding over the past several weeks.

On March 5, 2019, floods triggered by heavy rains and the overflowing of several rivers, had inundated 15 districts in East Java and led to the displacement of nearly 12.5 thousand people, mostly in Madiun. Despite the widespread inundation, no casualties were reported.

However, in Papua, deadly flooding devastated Sentani and several other sub-districts in Jayapura District and claimed the lives of at least 112 people and rendered 94 others missing on March 16, 2019.

The natural disasters caused serious injuries to 107 people and minor injuries to 808 others.