Long Drought, Submerged Village in Banten Reappears
A unique phenomenon has occurred in Lebak Regency, Banten, due to the prolonged dry season. Somang Village, which was previously underwater, is now visible again after the water level in the Karian Dam receded drastically.
Somang Village was once a residential area that was intentionally submerged as part of the Karian Dam construction project. This major dam project was carried out by the government over eight years, from 2015 to 2023, to meet water and irrigation needs in the region.
Due to the extreme hot weather in recent times, the water discharge in the dam has decreased significantly. This has caused the remains of buildings and structures of the village that were once submerged to reappear on the surface, where they can now be seen by the local community.
This condition has attracted the attention of local residents who want to see the remains of their former settlement firsthand. Although this sight is quite interesting, the authorities continue to urge the public to be careful when in the area around the dam because the ground conditions may be unstable.
This event serves as a reminder of the impact of weather changes on water infrastructure in Indonesia. The government continues to monitor the water discharge conditions at the Karian Dam to ensure that the dam's functions continue to operate well despite facing the challenges of a long drought.