Prabowo Orders Swift Response to Java Floods, Steps Up Mitigation

Jakarta: President Prabowo Subianto has ordered an immediate response to flooding across Java, directing authorities to prioritize rescue operations and strengthen disaster mitigation as heavy rains continue to trigger widespread inundation.

State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said the directive was issued during a limited cabinet meeting on Saturday, following reports of floods, landslides, and standing water in several areas, including Pati and Kudus in Central Java, as well as North Jakarta.

“The president immediately instructed all relevant agencies to ensure the fastest possible response, especially in incidents involving casualties,” Prasetyo told reporters at the Presidential Palace on Monday, as quoted by Antara on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Authorities also reported breaches in flood embankments at multiple locations, increasing the risk of further flooding as rainfall intensifies during the peak of the rainy season.

Prabowo has tasked Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian with mapping flood-prone areas vulnerable to river overflows, coastal flooding, and tidal inundation, Prasetyo said. The mapping will form the basis for preventive and mitigation measures to reduce the impact of similar disasters in the future.

“There is a collective responsibility within the government to move quickly on anticipation and mitigation so that the impacts of such events can be minimized going forward,” he added.

Prabowo may visit affected areas in the coming days as flooding persists in several parts of Java.

Heavy rainfall has inundated multiple regions, including Lamongan in East Java; Pekalongan, Batang, Kudus, Demak, Pati, and Jepara in Central Java; Karawang and Bekasi in West Java; and North Jakarta.