TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said the floods in South Kalimantan were the largest in the past 50 years. He made the statement during his visit to the province's affected regions today, Jan. 18.

“They are the biggest that perhaps have not occurred in South Kalimantan for more than 50 years,” said the President when inspecting the flood site as quoted from the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel on Monday, Jan. 18.

High-intensity rainfall showering the region for almost ten consecutive days, he added, had caused the Barito River to overflow. The river that could normally hold 230 million cubic meters of water was no longer able to store 2.1 billion cubic meters of water.

The river was still overflowing and the rain continued as the President inspected the Pakauman Bridge above the Martapura River. He highlighted three main things, viz. damaged infrastructure, the evacuation of affected residents, and the distribution of aid logistics.

President Jokowi left for Banjarbaru city, South Kalimantan, using the Presidential Aircraft-1 from the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base at around 10:05 WIB. Upon arrival at the Syamsudin Noor Air Force Base, he went to the flood site by rubber boat.

Read: South Kalimantan: Floods Force 112,709 Residents to Flee Homes

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