Lampung, Indonesia Sentinel — Heavy rains that have pounded Indonesia’s Lampung Province since Friday, January 17, 2025, have caused widespread flooding, submerging homes and blocking major roads. The intense rainfall has left multiple areas inundated, with some regions hit harder than others.
Wakhidi, the head of the Bandar Lampung Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), confirmed receiving numerous reports about the floods. Data released by the Provincial Disaster Mitigation Center (Pusdalops PB) indicated that 19 locations in Bandar Lampung were affected, with the Way Lunik area and RE Martadinata Street experiencing the worst conditions.
According to report from CNN Indonesia, heavy rainfall across Bandar Lampung began around 3:00 p.m. local time, with flooding starting less than an hour later. Residents living near rivers reported that their homes were quickly inundated, prompting evacuations to safer locations.
Flooding in Way Lunik, Panjang District, which is considered to be the worst affected area, has reportedly submerged residents’ houses to the point where the water level almost reaches the ceiling.
Floodwaters also caused severe disruptions along the Southern Sumatra Highway (Jalinsum), particularly in Way Lunik, where the bypass connecting Panjang and Rajabasa was rendered impassable. The strong currents paralyzed traffic, leaving smaller vehicles especially vulnerable. Report said several cars and motorcycles were swept away by the surging waters.
Casualties and Ongoing Search Efforts
Provincial Disaster Mitigation Center reported casualties, including one fatality—a resident of RT 16, Panjang District—who was electrocuted during the floods. Another person was reported missing in Bandar Lampung, and search efforts are ongoing, according to report from Kumparan.
As of now, report on further casualties has not been released, as authorities are still assessing the current situation and the impact of the floods.
Affected Area
According to Kumparan, as of 8:30 p.m. on January 17, BPBD reported that floodwaters had inundated numerous locations across the region, including:
Bandar Lampung City:
- Korpri Lane 2, Way Halim Subdistrict
- Sumur Putri, Teluk Betung Utara Subdistrict
- Way Laga, Panjang Subdistrict
- PJR Intersection, Southern Sumatra Highway (Jalinsum)
- WR Supratman Street, Pancurmas Alley, Teluk Betung Utara Subdistrict
- Way Lunik, Panjang Subdistrict
- Jualang, Bumi Waras Subdistrict
- Singosari Street, Enggal Subdistrict
- H. Aminta Street, Tanjung Karang Timur Subdistrict
- Ambon Market, Teluk Betung Selatan Subdistrict
- Kota Karang, Teluk Betung Timur Subdistrict
- Srengsem, Panjang Subdistrict
- RE Martadinata Street
- Nunyai, Rajabasa Subdistrict
- Ahmad Yani Street
- WR Monginsidi Street, Rozali Alley
- Kuripan, Teluk Betung Barat Subdistrict
- Ridwan Rais Street, H. Syarif Alley
- Toyib Alley, Rajabasa Subdistrict
Lampung Tengah District:
- Bekri Subdistrict
- Bumiratu Nuban Subdistrict
Lampung Timur District:
- Way Bungur Subdistrict
- Sekampung Udik Subdistrict
- Batanghari Subdistrict
- Sukadana Subdistrict
- Raman Utara Subdistrict
Emergency Response
Bandar Lampung BPBD has swiftly deployed teams across the areas affected by flooding to assist with evacuations. “Yes, it’s true. Many areas are flooded. Our personnel are already dispersed at the flood sites,” head of the Bandar Lampung BPBD, Wakhidi said.
Read also : Indonesia Weather Alert! Tidal Flooding Expected Until Late January 2025
However, the full scope of the damage remains unclear. Wakhidi noted that data on the number of affected residents and regions is still being compiled. “There’s too much to account for right now. Our teams are focused on evacuating residents still trapped in the floods,” he explained.
As rescue and relief efforts continue, the people of Lampung are grappling with the immediate aftermath of the disaster, while authorities work to assess the broader impact on the region.
(Raidi/Agung)