BANDUNG, WEST JAVA — A flash flood struck Bandung Regency on Thursday (11/1/2024), caused by high rainfall leading to the overflow of the Citarum River. Hundreds of homes in five southern Bandung districts were submerged. Upon learning of this, Dompet Dhuafa West Java, along with the Disaster Management Center (DMC) of Dompet Dhuafa, deployed personnel to assist and address the flood victims.
The flash flood response acceleration was carried out in Lamajang Pentas Village, Citeureup Village, Dayeuhkolot, Bandung Regency. Not only homes but several vital public and health facilities were also flooded. The floodwaters reached adult chest height, necessitating immediate evacuation of the victims.
“The residents of Dayeuhkolot and surrounding areas had to be evacuated because the floodwaters reached adult chest height,” reported a Dompet Dhuafa team volunteer from the scene.
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Until Friday (12/1/2024), the Dompet Dhuafa Response Team continued to provide swift assistance for handling the flash flood. Skillfully, they evacuated affected residents to safer areas.
Many residents had to be evacuated by boat to Bumdes buildings and other public facilities for safety. The current priority for evacuation is the elderly, children, and women.
“As of now, the team is still struggling to evacuate residents from their homes to safer places,” continued the Dompet Dhuafa volunteer report from the location.
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According to Kompas, the Bandung Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) recorded five districts affected by the flood: Dayeuhkolot, Bojongsoang, Kertasari, Katapang, and Baleendah.
“About 130 residents from Citeureup Village have been evacuated to SMP Negeri 1 Dayeuhkolot. There were no casualties in this event,” explained Uka Puji Utama, Head of the Bandung Regency BPBD, on Friday (12/1/2024) as reported by Kompas.
Uka stated that the number of residents affected by the flood in Dayeuhkolot reached 2,344 families or about 7,027 individuals. These affected residents are spread across 17 hamlets (RW) areas in Dayeuhkolot.
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Furthermore, it was explained that flooding also occurred in Braga Subdistrict, Bandung City, affecting 600 families.
Dompet Dhuafa, through the DMC, also sent additional personnel dispatched directly from Jakarta. May the community and volunteers always be under the protection of Allah SWT. And may the community be given the strength to overcome this natural disaster and face the future on their own. (Dompet Dhuafa/West Java/DMC)