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A prolonged period of heavy rainfall has left communities in Pati Regency, Central Java, submerged, with residents increasingly reliant on boats for daily life. The flooding, which began nearly a week ago on January 11, 2026, shows no signs of receding, impacting transportation and forcing residents to adapt to unprecedented conditions.
Prolonged Rainfall Causes Silugonggo River to Overflow
The current crisis stems from sustained rainfall and the subsequent overflow of the Silugonggo River. The river’s proximity to residential areas has exacerbated the situation, with water levels reaching over 1 meter in some locations. This has rendered roads impassable, effectively isolating communities within Pati District, specifically Mustokoarjo Village.
Residents Resist Evacuation, Adapt to Flooded Conditions
Despite the severity of the flooding, many residents are choosing to remain in their homes rather than utilize evacuation posts established by local authorities. One resident, speaking on January 16, 2026, described the situation, stating, “Since the flood has been flooded for the past five days, this activity has been paralyzed, use boats. In the house it is up to 75 centimeters, in the yard it can be more than 1 meter because the location is also close to the river.”
The resident explained that families are adapting by utilizing boats for essential tasks, such as accessing food and securing belongings. “This is an outing activity, for example looking for food, wanting to feed catfish, having your vehicle safely parked at the mosque, it’s free there,” they added, highlighting the resourcefulness of the community in the face of adversity. Families are currently occupying the least-affected areas of their homes, such as kitchens, to remain dry.
Long-Term Implications and Community Resilience
The ongoing flooding underscores the vulnerability of settlements located near riverbanks and the increasing challenges posed by extreme weather events. While immediate relief efforts are focused on providing access to essential resources, long-term solutions will require careful consideration of land use planning and infrastructure development. The resilience demonstrated by the residents of Mustokoarjo Village, who are navigating this crisis with ingenuity and a commitment to remaining in their homes, serves as a testament to the strength of the local community.
