Blitar, East Java — From April 27 to May 3, 2025, two dams in Blitar Regency will undergo flushing, a process of releasing sediment from the reservoirs. These dams are the Wlingi and Lodoyo Dams.
Agung Nugroho Dwi Prasetyo, Head of the ASA Services Division of the Brantas River Region at Perum Jasa Tirta (PJT) I, stated that the flushing will result in a significant drop in water elevation in the Brantas River, particularly upstream of the Wlingi and Lodoyo Dams.
Another impact will be an increase in water discharge and turbidity downstream of the Wlingi and Lodoyo Dams. Therefore, PJT I is urging the public to stay away from these areas for safety reasons.
“We urge the public not to approach the flushing sites because it is dangerous. This is important for our collective safety. There will also be temporary road closures on the Wlingi Dam crossing and Lodoyo Dam access roads,” he said on Wednesday (April 23, 2025).
Regarding the implementation of the flushing, PJT I has coordinated with relevant agencies in the affected areas. The goal is to help disseminate information to the public, advising them to avoid any activities along the Brantas River during the flushing process.
Agung explained that flushing is an annual routine activity aimed at supporting national food and energy security programs.
Through this flushing process, the storage capacity of the Wlingi Dam can be increased, and the released sediment can help fill the degraded riverbed in the middle and downstream sections of the Brantas River.
“This annual routine activity is essential to ensure the ongoing function of the Wlingi and Lodoyo Dams, maintain power generation at Wlingi Hydroelectric Power Plant (PLTA), Lodoyo PLTA, and Lodagung Micro Hydro Power Plant (PLTM), and ensure smooth water supply to the Lodagung irrigation area,” Agung said.
He added that during the flushing period, the Wlingi and Lodoyo hydroelectric power plants, as well as the Lodagung micro hydro plant, will temporarily halt operations, and the water allocation for the Lodagung irrigation area will also be suspended.