[6] The area experienced several hours of heavy rain on the night of 26–27 March 2009 which caused the dam level to rise, apparently because the gate leading to the spillway was too small.

A surge of water and debris several metres high was sent into the town of Cirendeu, washing away cars, houses and a brick-built bridge.

[6][9] The flood submerged five power terminals cutting drinking water supplies to the nearby suburb of Lebak Bulus.

[11] The site of the disaster was visited by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Vice-President Yusuf Kalla and Welfare Minister Aburizal Bakrie; and the government stated that it would pay for repairs to houses damaged by the flood.

[5] President Yudhoyono promised that the cause of the disaster would be investigated, and any dam staff found to have been negligent in their duties would face court charges.