Flooding in Merauke Has Not Yet Subsided

Flooding continued to submerge parts of Merauke, South Papua Province, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, with knee-deep water covering Biak Street in Mandala Subdistrict.

The flood began in the early hours of Saturday after heavy rain hit the area around 1:00 a.m. Eastern Indonesia Time (WIT), and only began to ease around 7:00 a.m.

Many residents were unable to sleep as floodwaters entered their homes, forcing them to rescue personal belongings and household items.

The flooding is believed to be linked to ongoing environmental degradation in Merauke. Large areas of forest have been damaged or converted for other land uses.

A government project aimed at opening up two million hectares of new land has sparked further concern among locals, who fear it could accelerate deforestation. Environmental damage is seen as a major factor increasing the risk of flooding in the region.

Banjir di Merauke belum Surut

Tampak banjir setinggi lutut orang dewasa merendam Jalan Biak, Kelurahan Mandala, Kabupaten Merauke, Provinsi Papua Selatan pada Sabtu, 5 April 2025.

Banjir terjadi pada Sabtu dini hari saat hujan deras mengguyur Merauke pada pukul 01.00 WIT. Hujan baru reda pada pukul 07.00 WIT.

Banjir yang terjadi pada dini hari tersebut membuat sebagian warga tidak bisa tidur air banjir masuk ke dalam rumah. Warga terpaksa harus menyelamatkan barang mereka.

Banjir di Merauke diduga terjadi akibat kerusakan lingkungan di Merauke. Saat ini banyak hutan rusak dan beralih fungsi menjadi lahan. 

Proyek pemerintah untuk pembukaan lahan baru seluas 2 juta hektare semakin membuat warga khawatir hutan di Merauke semakin rusak. Rusaknya hutan dan lingkungan membuat Merauke semakin terancam banjir.