'We are already exhausted, almost worn out!' - West Java homes submerged after Cibeet, Citarum rivers overflow

"Severe flooding submerged homes in West Java after the Cibeet and Citarum rivers overflowed following heavy rain upstream overnight. Footage captured in Karawang on Tuesday shows a fully inundated residential area. Residents are seen moving through floodwaters and travelling by inflatable boats and motorcycles to evacuate. "The water level kept rising. It started increasing around midnight," a local said. "We hope that there will be a solution so the flooding does not keep happening. As residents of Karangligar, we are already exhausted, almost worn out. What is the solution? There has never been a clear, definite solution for us here," added a second. Karawang Regency in West Java is regularly affected by flooding during the rainy season due to its low terrain and basin-like geography, and proximity to major river systems. The Cibeet and Citarum rivers often overflow after heavy rainfall upstream, pushing excess water into nearby residential areas. Authorities say poor drainage and river backflow are key drivers of the recurring floods. In some communities, water is unable to drain properly and flows back into homes when river levels rise. The Citarum basin is among Indonesia's most flood-prone areas. Officials also point to upstream rainfall and possible land subsidence as factors worsening the situation in recent years. Emergency teams have repeatedly carried out evacuations and aid distribution during peak flooding, while residents continue to demand lasting flood control solutions."

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