Jakarta—The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported hydrometeorological events and land fires across several provinces on Thursday, May 15, linked to extreme weather and shifting seasons.
In Poso Regency, Central Sulawesi, heavy rainfall early Wednesday, May 14, triggered flooding in Kancu Village, Pamona Timur District. The flood affected 15 households but caused no structural damage or casualties. As of Thursday, May 15, floodwaters had receded, and residents were engaged in clearing debris carried by the currents.
Still in Sulawesi, landslides in Mamasa Regency, West Sulawesi, which began on Monday, May 12, remain under active response by the local disaster agency (BPBD). The landslides hit the villages of Ulusalu, Ulusalu Indah, and Saloan in Pana District, forcing 31 people from 7 households to take shelter with relatives. Damage assessments recorded five homes destroyed, four moderately damaged, five lightly damaged, and seven others at risk. Authorities have deployed heavy machinery to clear blocked access roads.
In North Sulawesi, flooding in Minahasa Regency has continued since May 1, affecting hundreds. In the Kiniar subdistrict of Tondano Timur, 317 families (1,268 people) were impacted. As of Wednesday, May 13, some evacuees were still sheltering at the subdistrict office, while authorities continued damage assessments and response efforts.
On the island of Java, flash floods in Ngawi Regency, East Java, claimed one life on Monday, May 12. Following upstream rainfall, a sudden surge in river flow swept away three people fishing in Teguhan Village, Paron District. Two were rescued, while the third was found dead the following day by search-and-rescue teams.
In Lumajang Regency, also in East Java, flash floods hit Jugosari Village, Candipuro District, on Tuesday, May 13, affecting 139 families (512 people). As of Wednesday, May 14, key roads in the village remained blocked by debris, including sand and rocks. BPBD Lumajang has raised concerns about a potential secondary flood event in Kebondeli Selatan Hamlet if a nearby river embankment fails.
Beyond floods and landslides, forest and land fires (karhutla) were reported in Ogan Ilir Regency, South Sumatra, on Wednesday, May 14, at 16:08 WIB. Fires affected Parit and Palem Raya Villages, burning approximately 2.25 hectares of land. Firefighting teams successfully extinguished the blaze by Thursday, May 15.
Similar fires also broke out in Central Kalimantan, affecting Kotawaringin Barat and Gunung Mas Regencies. Each area saw roughly 0.5 hectares of land burned before fires were brought under control.
BNPB continues to call for heightened vigilance from local governments and the public. Despite the transition period between seasons, the agency warns that the risk of hydrometeorological disasters remains high.
“Monitor official weather and climate forecasts, and evacuate promptly if necessary,” said Abdul Muhari, Ph.D., Head of BNPB’s Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center. He also urged communities to stay alert for early signs of forest and land fires and to report hotspots immediately. (nsh)
Banner photo: Flash floods hit Candipuro sub-district, Lumajang district, on Tuesday (13/5), damaging several houses, roads, river embankments, and gabions. (Photo: BPBD Lumajang district)
