Thousands of Cemeteries in Bekasi Flooded Up to One Meter

BEKASI, KOMPAS - The massive flooding that struck the Puncak area in Bogor, West Java, has affected the city of Bekasi. Thousands of graves at the Jatisari Public Cemetery in Bekasi City were submerged. The water level even reached one meter. On Monday (3/3/2025), the floodwaters gradually receded but left behind thick mud.

The Head of the Regional Technical Implementation Unit (UPTD) for Cemeteries of the Housing, Settlement Area, and Land Agency of Bekasi City, Roy Sadaralam, stated on Monday that flooding began to inundate the cemetery area at around 6:00 AM WIB. The water level ranged from 20 centimeters (cm) to 1 meter.

The flooding that submerged the cemetery at Jatisari Public Cemetery (TPU) was water sent from the Bogor area. Flooding of this kind, which inundates cemeteries, occurs almost every year, especially when the upstream region is hit by high-intensity rainfall.

"But usually, a major flood cycle that inundates food will occur every five years," said Roy.

Currently, even though the floodwaters are gradually receding, the aftermath of the flood remains, in the form of thick mud. "Our next task is to clean the cemetery of the mud," said Roy.

Flooding is not only occurring in Bekasi but also in several areas of Jakarta. The Head of the Data and Information Center of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of DKI Jakarta, Mohamad Yohan, stated that the flooding in Bogor and its surrounding areas on Sunday triggered flooding in Jakarta. As of 3:00 PM, BPBD recorded that inundation is currently affecting 52 neighborhood units (RT).

In the South Jakarta area, there are 18 neighborhood units (RT) spread across the Tanjung Barat, Pengadegan, Rawajati, Pejaten Timur, and Kebon Baru sub-districts, with flood levels ranging from 30 cm to 300 cm.

In East Jakarta, there are 34 RTs that are submerged, namely in Bidara Cina, Kampung Melayu, Cawang, Cililitan Sub-districts with heights ranging from 40 cm to 250 cm.

As a result, hundreds of residents are still taking refuge in several places such as schools, places of worship and government offices.

To overcome the flood, said Yohan, the DKI Jakarta BPBD is still deploying personnel to monitor the puddle conditions in each region. In addition, the BPBD is coordinating with elements of the Water Resources Agency, the Bina Marga Agency, and the Gulkarmat Agency to drain the puddles.

The flooding that submerged the cemetery at Jatisari Public Cemetery (TPU) was water sent from the Bogor area. Flooding of this kind, which inundates cemeteries, occurs almost every year, especially when the upstream region is hit by high-intensity rainfall.

This effort is important to ensure that the water lines function properly together with the local village heads and sub-district heads and to prepare basic needs for survivors. "Because we are targeting the inundation to recede quickly," he said.