KBRN, Gorontalo City: The Gorontalo Provincial Administration has launched a coordinated relief operation in Pohuwato Regency following a weekend of severe weather that left hundreds of residents grappling with submerged homes. 

While the flash floods triggered by the Bulangita River’s overflow have begun to retreat, officials are now shifting their focus toward ensuring the welfare of vulnerable groups and maintaining stable logistics for the 405 affected individuals, InfoPublik reported.

The disaster struck Marisa Subdistrict late Saturday afternoon, December 27, 2025, when high-intensity rainfall and strong winds overwhelmed local infrastructure. The surge caused the Bulangita River to burst its banks, while drainage systems, clogged by thick mud and debris, failed to channel the runoff. 

The resulting inundation swept through the villages of Bulangita, Teratai, and Palopo, with water levels peaking between 40 and 90 centimeters. According to the Pohuwato Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), 96 homes were directly impacted, though no residents were forced into long-term displacement.

In immediate response to the crisis, Gorontalo Governor Gusnar Ismail issued a directive to the provincial BPBD, Public Works Agency, and Social Affairs Agency to synchronize their efforts with the Pohuwato Regency Administration. This high-level coordination aims to streamline post-disaster recovery and ensure that the basic needs of the community are met without delay.

Leading the ground efforts, Head of the Gorontalo Provincial Social Affairs Agency, Sagita Wartabone, met with her local counterpart, Zulkifli Umar, and the Disaster Preparedness Volunteers (TAGANA) to finalize the distribution of aid based on field assessments. 

Sagita provided reassurance regarding the availability of emergency supplies on Monday, December 29, 2025. "Currently, the logistics stock in the Pohuwato Regency Social Affairs Agency warehouse remains in a safe and sufficient condition."

The situation on the ground has shown significant improvement as of Monday afternoon. 

Firman, a member of the local TAGANA unit, confirmed that the floodwaters had receded, allowing families to return to their routine and begin the arduous task of cleaning mud from their residences. He noted that household kitchens are back in operation, signaling a return to relative normalcy for the affected families.

Despite the recovery, specialized assistance is still being prioritized for those most at risk. “We are currently distributing aid in the form of biscuits for children, as well as essential kits for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers,” explained  Firman. 

The Gorontalo and Pohuwato Administrations remain in a state of active monitoring to ensure that no resident is overlooked during the final stages of the recovery process. ***