Heavy downpours in Bogor yesterday or Thursday (5/15) had caused water levels in the Ciliwung River to exceed normal levels. As a result, flood submerged thousands of houses in Kampung Pulo, Kampung Melayu, Jatinegara Sub-District, East Jakarta, at around 10 PM. Unfortunately, flood victims have not been evacuated despite the water level has shown between 30-150 centimeters.

Such condition has been experienced by citizens for decades. That's why we do not take refuge

Sarifudin, (40), a citizen of RT 003/03 Kampung Pulo, said that citizens in a number of areas along Ciliwung River have been alerted of possible floods following hours of heavy rain in Bogor, West Java on Thursday afternoon, around 4 PM. "Locals were then immediately evacuating their valuables to the 2nd floor of the house," he expressed, Friday (5/16).

Yet he and other citizens were not panic because they already familiar with this kind of situation. "Such condition has been experienced by citizens for decades. That's why we do not take refuge," he expressed.

Head of Kampung Melayu Urban Village, Bambang Pangestu disclosed that flood has been soaking 1,100 houses at 7 RWs and 47 RTs in Kampung Melayu with water level between 30-150 centimeters. The amount of flood victims is about 3,427 people or 1,508 households.

Thus far, he continued, there has been no evacuation. Nevertheless, his side has set up refugee camps to the victims at offices of East Jakarta Health Sub-Department, urban village, etc.

"At this time, the water level is still between 30-150 centimeters. If the water keeps rising, we will evacuate the citizens soon," he uttered.