MORE THAN 13,000 PEOPLE AFFECTED BY FLOOD IN KARAWANG, WEST JAVA

JAKARTA, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- As many as 4,304 families or more than 13,841 people have been affected by flooding in Karawang, West Java, following incessant rain since last Friday.

According to the National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Head, Abdul Muhari, as of Wednesday, more than 2,413 victims have been evacuated to temporary shelters set up by the authorities.

"Teams in the field together with relevant agencies have carried out disaster management operations, including evacuation of stranded inhabitants, distribution of relief, and assessment of damage and impact of the flooding," he said in a statement on Wednesday.

According to BNPB, incessant rain has caused the Citarum River, the biggest river in West Java, and the Cibeet River in the province to overflow onto surrounding areas, causing some areas to be inundated in two metres of water, with some houses submerged up to their roofs.

The affected areas include Karawang Timur, East Telukjambe, Pangkalan, West Telukjambe, West Karawang, Jayakerta, Cilebar, Rawamerta, Rengasdengklok, Lemahabang, Cilamaya Wetan, and Klari.

Abdul Muhari said local authorities continue to monitor the situation and urged inhabitants to remain vigilant, especially if rain continues to pour, as it can lead to a worsening of the flood situation.

-- BERNAMA