RRI.CO.ID, Baturaja – Massive flooding triggered by torrential rainfall has submerged 1,277 homes across Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU) Regency, South Sumatra, following the breach of the Ogan River’s banks on Friday night, April 17, 2026. While the disaster has disrupted the lives of thousands, local authorities confirmed that no fatalities have been reported as of Saturday, April 18, 2026.

As reported by Antara, the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) has been working around the clock to assess the scale of the damage and provide emergency assistance to the affected communities.

"Based on the latest data collection, 1,277 houses were flooded, with the number of affected victims reaching 5,295 people. Fortunately, there are no fatalities," said the Head of BPBD OKU, Januar Efendi, in Baturaja on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

The floodwaters swept through a wide range of areas, including the villages of Terusan, Tanjung Baru, Tanjung Kemala, and Lubuk Batang Lama. Water levels in these locations, as well as in urban neighborhoods like Pasar Baru and Baturaja Lama, were reported to range from 30 centimeters to one meter deep.

While waters in many sectors began to recede by Saturday afternoon, allowing some residents to resume daily activities, the situation remains critical in the Kedaton Peninjauan Raya Subdistrict. In this specific zone, villages such as Bunglai, Kedaton, and Kampai continue to struggle with severe inundation.

"Flooding in these villages is quite severe, with the number of affected residents' homes reaching 579 units," explained Januar.

He noted that the agency has deployed personnel and rubber boats to these hotspots to maintain community mobility and provide essential aid.

Despite the gradual improvement in several areas, authorities are urging the public not to grow complacent. The BPBD has intensified its monitoring of the Ogan River's water levels to ensure that any further spikes in volume result in immediate early warnings.

In a concluding appeal, Januar emphasized the necessity of constant vigilance. "We once again urge the community to remain alert to the potential for follow-up flooding to prevent any loss of life. We are also intensifying the monitoring of the Ogan River's discharge so that if an increase occurs, early warnings can be passed on to the public for mutual awareness," he said. ***