Ogan Komering Ulu, KOTABARI.COM – Ogan Komering Ulu Regency (OKU), South Sumatra (Sumsel), witnessed a tragic flood as thousands of homes were submerged due to the overflowing of the Ogan River. This incident has caused inundation in plantation areas and disrupted access roads for residents, with even a suspension bridge collapsing.
One resident, Bayu Pratama Aji from Baturaja Timur District, recounted how his and neighboring houses were flooded after heavy rains pounded the area since Monday evening.
“Heavy rain since Monday, although it has subsided today, but the water level of the Ogan River continues to rise, flooding houses around here,” said Bayu.
Residents were forced to relocate valuable items and household furniture to safer locations. However, not all residents managed to salvage their belongings in time.
“In less than 1 hour, the water level rose by more than 10 cm. Many houses were submerged. Many residents evacuated and moved their valuable items to safer locations. But some residents did not have time to move their household furniture,” Bayu said.
Access roads towards Lahat and Muara Dua in South OKU towards Prabumulih were also flooded due to the continuously rising water level.
“The access road towards Lahat and Prabumulih cannot be passed because the water level is already quite high. Additionally, a bridge in Pusar Village collapsed,” he added.
Head of the South Sumatra Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), M Iqbal, revealed that two districts have been flooded. However, he anticipated that the flood would continue to expand as the water level of the Ogan River keeps rising.
“There are 2 districts with 16 villages in OKU affected by the flood. According to preliminary data, 1,695 houses have been flooded. Thousands of residents are affected, with hundreds evacuating due to this flood,” he said.
In Baturaja Barat District, 10 villages were submerged. In Tanjung Agung, 25 houses and 20 residents evacuated, Talang Jawa Village saw 20 houses affected, Air Gading had 20 houses and one place of worship submerged, Tanjung Karang experienced flooding in 10 houses with 2 people evacuating, and Karang Agung faced inundation in 200 houses with 50 families evacuating.
A suspension bridge collapsed in Karang Agung, and approximately 10 hectares of plantation and agricultural land were flooded.
This situation demands serious attention from the local government to provide assistance and recovery efforts to affected residents. Hopefully, the situation will improve soon, and residents can return to their normal lives.