Floods in Central Kalimantan Spread, 16,000 Houses Submerged

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Floods caused by overflowed Samba and Katingan Rivers following heavy rainfall have inundated 13 subdistricts of Katingan, Central Kalimantan, as of Thursday, September 2.

In mid-August, Central Katingan district, which is a lowland and the estuary of Samba River and Katingan River, had been flooded.

Based on the Central Kalimantan Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBPK)'s data, 67 villages and 16,130 people or 13,013 families were affected as of Thursday. Worst-hit sub-districts included Malan Island, Tewang Sengalang Garing, Katingan Hilir, and Tasik Payawan.

“Katingan district has been under the emergency status from August 24 to September 23,” said Central Kalimantan BPBPK acting head Erlin Hardi on Friday, September 3.

According to Erlin, the regional government has coordinated with the governments in villages and sub-districts, and collected data to distribute clean water. “[We have] also set up public kitchens to help people affected by the floods,” he added.

The floods have also devastated the trans Kalimantan road in Pulang Pisau regency, Central Kalimantan. The 10-meter-long road is submerged by 20-30-centimeter-deep floodwaters and might be completely paralyzed if the rain intensity persists.

“If the rain continues, it is certain that the water discharge will increase and endanger road users,” said Sumedi, a resident of Palangka Raya, on Thursday.

Read: Greenpeace Highlights Causes of South Kalimantan Floods

KARANA WW (CONTRIBUTOR)