SAWMILL
16.RIVERS OVERFLOW
We ran towards the village to inform the villagers that there would be flash floods due to the higher water discharge and the faster river flow.
We are racing with the river water that has now touched our shoes, we do not dare to see the river embankment that may have been passed by the water
The river water is just our shoe feet, we can see the village gate, we accelerate our run until we enter the village in a state of desolation, because at night there is no meaningful activity.
“Mas Agus, we better go to the house of the deceased Mbah Karyo only because there must still be citizens who put melekan”
We ran to the Mbah Karyo house which is not far from where we stand, upon arrival there were still some residents who stood until morning.
“Pak!…. river water overflow!,.... river water overflow sir!” shouted Mamad from the front of the house Mbah Karyo
“Masa Iya mas Mamad, where did mas Mamad tau from?”
“Better you see for yourself, invite some residents also sir, so quickly information to other residents pak”
“We just wait here sir, we are tired of huff” said Mamad who then sat on the long bench in front of the house
Some residents use motorbikes and flashlights then headed towards the river which is located not far from the village. Not long ago those who reviewed the river returned with surprising news,
“FLOOD BANDAAANG!… BROADCAST TO RESIDENTS WHO ARE HERE ALL!” shouted one of the residents after seeing the river beside the hamlet
The sound of a fart that rang four times a short punch is continuously sounded by the citizens who are here, the sound of the fart was said to say until the entire village hit the fart.
Dumplings of hamlets packing their goods and running towards the higher plains of the hamlet position here, mamad and I also joined the citizens who ran while carrying torches to higher areas.
The atmosphere was getting rame with the little children who cried, we both did not lose panic, because just here even there was an incident like this.
It turns out that not far from the village there is a land that is quite high, the average female population runs there, while the male remains in the village while watching the state of the village.
“Mad, it's good that we are with the male population who are watching the water level of the river, we are not here Mad”
“Iya mas, I was also thinking like that mas, we go to the village alone along with other male residents mas”
Eventually we both came down from the plateau mostly mothers and their children, while the fathers remained in the village to see the water level overflowing.
Mamad and I walked down to the muddled village road, not because of the flood but because of the heavy rain that came before.
The condition of the village was crowded with male residents who stood guard in each house, sometimes they clustered but some were alone in front of the house, maybe the alone was his own house guarded.
We approached the fathers who were in a group in the middle of the road and seemed to be talking about the overflowing river earlier.
“How sira sira what still overflow pak”
“Ah there is Pak Agus and mas Mamad. Fortunately, the two of you immediately informed us, we did not think that the river next to the village would overflow” said the fathers who used peci and carried a large flashlight
“Did the river ever overflow before sir, or just this time the river overflowed?”
“It has been twice this mas Mamad, probably because of the consequences of deforestation on the slopes of the mountain mas” replied the father who wore shorts
“The first flash flood was known by the late Mbah Karyo, he who saw the first time that the river beside the village overflow”
“For this time insha allah did not inundate the village mas, because until now the friends who were on the river side have not informed the danger by using the kentongan they brought” he continued
“Mad, let's go there Mad, I want to see the river”
“Fathers, we both want to go there first, want to see the condition of the river pak”
“Oh Monggo sir Agus, but be careful because there must be slippery”
We headed to the river after saying goodbye to the fathers who were huddling in the middle of the village road. The rain had stopped completely, there was no drizzle at all the sky was already bright with its stars.
Mamad and I headed towards the river to see the development of the current and the water level of the river, who knows the river has not overflowed, so we can go home calmly.
Near the river we met some of the fathers, they were standing looking at the water level and river flow that had been reduced than when we were there.
“How is the river condition sir, is it still full and overflowing?”
“It was quite mas Mamad, it was indeed overflowing and just feet when you two told our village mas”
“But alhamdulilah has begun to decrease much mas. Maybe the flood above has begun to decrease” replied the fathers who hold kentongan
“But for the bridge that connects the village with the sawmill house seems to be impassable mas, maybe two more hours later it is completely safe mas”
“Iya sir, because we have to go home immediately sir, I am afraid to stay home too long” replied Mamad
“Lho why should be afraid mad mas, who would dare to make a tantrum in the house, just calm down, mas, no one dared mess with the house” said the father who held the fart again
Strange as well, why did he say that if no one dared to do anything in the house, what was really wrong with the house. But I don't dare ask, than I hear something scary.
But how many times have I felt something there, it's just that it's a small disturbance that has no impact on me.
*****
We have been here for about two hours, waiting for the river water not to overflow again with the fathers who are here. But I forgot something, I forgot that the house is next to this river.
“Eh Mad, home conditions how about here a flood like this?”
“Waduh ndak tau mas Agus, I also recently experienced flood”
Mamad's face suddenly panicked after remembering that the saw house was next to the river
“Let's remember Mr. Agus, the sawmill house is located higher than our village, the overflowing water will not flood the area sana” replied the fathers again
“Oh so yes sir, I am really worried pak” replied Mamad
“Eh I tried to check the bridge Mad, who knows it can be passed, because the water here has been quite receding than earlier”
“I join mas Agus, if it has receded we all cross also” replied Mamad
After saying goodbye, we headed towards the wooden bridge that separated our house with this village.