Government Studies Relocation Options for Residents Affected by Puncak Bogor Floods

BOGOR, KOMPAS – The government is offering relocation options for residents affected by the floods in the Puncak Bogor area, West Java, on Sunday (2/3/2025). This plan is expected to serve as a permanent solution to assist residents who have repeatedly been impacted by this disaster. The issue of land-use conversion in the upstream area of Puncak Bogor, which is suspected to trigger the disaster, is also under scrutiny.

During his visit to Tugu Selatan Village, Cisarua Subdistrict, Bogor Regency, West Java, on Monday (3/3/2025), the Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Suharyanto, stated that based on preliminary assessments, 19 houses were severely damaged due to the hydrometeorological disaster. However, the number of affected houses could exceed that figure.

Heavy rainfall in the Puncak Bogor area has caused flooding in several regions, such as Megamendung and Cisarua. According to residents' accounts, flooding due to heavy rainfall like this has occurred frequently.

To address this long-standing issue, Suharyanto revealed that the option of relocating residents has emerged. Finding suitable land for relocation in the Puncak area might be challenging. However, the village authorities mentioned that there is land owned by PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) that could be used as a relocation destination.

The focus is now on the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase. If, in the future, residents and the local government agree to relocation, the relocation process can be implemented promptly.

"If implemented, those to be relocated will not only include residents whose homes are severely damaged but also those affected. It is feared that homes with minor damage are merely waiting for time until they are hit by disasters in the coming years," he said in Bogor on Monday.

Suharyanto stated that land conversion has become one of the triggers for this disaster. The increasing population has led to more extensive housing development.

Not only housing, the presence of other buildings has eroded the water catchment area. Rain that was initially accommodated by the water catchment area upstream, now falls and hits the houses of residents downstream.

Suharyanto said that affected residents will be given various assistance when evacuating. From monitoring at the location, there are three evacuation locations in Tugu Selatan Village, namely in emergency tents and two mosques.

However, the evacuation looks deserted. Most residents prefer to take refuge in their family's homes. "It needs an integrated solution from all parties, so that residents are not hit by disasters every year," he said.

Bogor Deputy Regent Ade Ruhandi said, from the data he received, there were eight bridges that were broken due to flooding. A temporary bridge has been built over two broken sections. The remaining six will be repaired soon. Repairs need to be expedited considering that Puncak Bogor is predicted to remain a tourist destination for the Eid holiday for the next few weeks.

Regarding the relocation, Ade added that his party will immediately conduct a geological study to determine the conditions of areas that are potentially flooded. The results of this study will later become a reference if the relocation decision is taken.

He also mentioned the direction of West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi who mentioned land conversion as one of the triggers of flooding in Puncak Bogor. Later, the local government promised to regulate problematic buildings, which are considered to trigger flooding in downstream areas.

BNPB appealed to Bogor residents to be alert to the potential for further flooding and extreme weather which is predicted to continue for the next three days.

Ade admitted that population growth in the Puncak Bogor area is quite rapid, which has increased the community's need for land. The arrangement of paths and spaces in Puncak Bogor will be carried out in accordance with applicable regulations.

"The need to build houses is getting bigger, and it is difficult to stop, but we will continue to evaluate both roads and buildings that have administrative problems," he said.

Based on data from the Bogor Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), heavy rain accompanied by strong winds has occurred since Sunday causing floods and landslides to hit 16 sub-districts. The majority of points are around or heading towards the Puncak tourist area.

The landslide disaster locations are spread across Cijeruk, Sukaraja, Megamendung, Sukamakmur, and Ciawi Districts. Then there are also in Sukajaya, Leuwisadang, and Babakan Madang Districts. Then the flood points are in Parungpanjang, Cisarua, Bojong Gede, Cigudeg, Tenjo, Dramaga, Rumpin Districts.

Next, there were strong winds in Jasinga District. The victim who went missing was Asep Mulyana (59) in Citeko Village, Cisarua.

Head of the BNPB Disaster Data and Information Center Abdul Muhari said that as a result of the disaster, hundreds of houses were submerged. In Tugu Selatan, there were 119 houses submerged and in Bojong Gede there were 137 houses affected. Meanwhile, in Rawa Panjang Village, Rumpin District, there was one house and one Islamic boarding school that were submerged.

BNPB appealed to Bogor residents to be alert to the potential for further flooding and extreme weather which is predicted to continue for the next three days.

"Residents in vulnerable areas are asked to evacuate immediately if the water level increases and prepare disaster preparedness bags containing important documents, medicines, and other emergency needs," said Aam. (Kompas, 3/2/2025).