Environmental Degradation Blamed As Flash Flood Ravages West Bandung Tourism Valley

Cililin, West Java — A scenic tourist valley in West Bandung has become the latest casualty of environmental degradation, after a flash flood swept through the area, causing extensive damage. The Lembah Curugan Gunung Putri site in Cililin District was inundated on December 4, 2025, when the Cibitung River overflowed following torrential rain. While extreme weather was the immediate trigger, local authorities and affected business owners are pointing to a more systemic cause: the large-scale conversion of upstream forest land into agricultural plots, which has severely compromised the region's natural water absorption capacity.

The Secretary of West Bandung Regency, Ade Zakir, formally acknowledged this link. He stated that the disaster was likely caused by two main factors: extreme rainfall and the conversion of land functions in the upstream area. This analysis shifts part of the focus from a purely natural calamity to one exacerbated by human activity. The upstream forest area in Ciwidey is a critical water catchment for the Cibitung River, and its degradation has dire consequences downstream.

Taufik, the manager of the Lembah Curugan Gunung Putri tourism site, provided a firsthand account of the consequences. He reported that the floodwaters carried a massive amount of mud and debris from upstream vegetable farms, which compounded the damage to his facilities. "The forest upstream has all been opened up for agriculture," Taufik said, noting that this flood was more severe than previous ones due to increasingly massive land clearing. His losses include 20 tons of fish and a complete halt to operations.

The flooding submerged the tourist area and approximately five hectares of surrounding rice fields. While the BPBD confirmed that no residential areas were threatened due to the site's remote location, the economic impact on local livelihoods was immediate. The flooded farmland, though officially an asset of the state-owned company Indonesia Power, is still worked by local residents, whose crops were destroyed.

The incident occurred within a district that is officially classified as a disaster-prone area. In early November 2025, the West Bandung Regency government declared a hydrometeorological disaster emergency alert status, listing Cililin among 11 vulnerable districts. This status was enacted in response to the high frequency of disasters; data shows that from January to October 2025 alone, West Bandung recorded 347 disaster events, including 23 floods.

The regional government's response to the flood was swift, focusing on emergency aid and infrastructure repair. Bupati Jeje Ritchie Ismail instructed the BPBD to distribute logistical assistance immediately. A primary focus became re-establishing connectivity, as a landslide triggered by the same rains completely blocked the road to Desa Nanggerang, isolating hundreds of people. Work began on a temporary motorcycle path while plans for permanent road reconstruction were drafted.

This event has intensified discussions about sustainable land management and disaster risk reduction in West Java's tourist regions. Prior to this flood, the local Tourism and Culture Office had already been working to intensify disaster mitigation in vulnerable tourist areas, emphasizing the need for clear evacuation procedures and infrastructure. The flood in Cililin serves as a stark case study of why such measures are critically needed.

The submersion of Lembah Curugan is a clear warning that environmental conservation is inseparable from economic stability and community safety in regions like West Bandung. Preventing future crises will require not only effective early warning systems during heavy rain but also committed policies and enforcement to protect and restore vital upstream ecosystems.

Read Too: Beyond The Kitchen: Cinnamon's Anti-Inflammatory Power In Serums

---

Tag: Deforestation Flood Indonesia Environmental Degradation Land Use Change Disaster Watershed Damage