Flood Cuts Off Trans Kalimantan Road

TEMPO.CO, Kasongan - The Trans Kalimantan Road in Central Kalimantan Province that connects Kasongan City and Kereng Pangi in Katingan Regency was cut off due to flooding in the Katingan Watershed (DAS). The water level reaches 30 cm to about 1 meter high.

On Tuesday, September 7, a number of roads and bridges were blocked due to the flood. These roads are vital routes that connect Palangka Raya with a number of districts in the western region of Central Kalimantan, such as West Kotawaringin, East Kotawaringin, Seruyan, Sukamara and Lamandau.

Ridwan (33), a resident of Palangka Raya who was about to leave for Pangkalan Bun, Kotawaringin Bara Regency, said he had to turn back to Palangka Raya because the route between Kasongan and Kereng Pangi was cut off. "I chose to go home until the flooded route is completely safe to go through," said the oil palm plantation employee.

Katingan Police Chief, Adjunct Senior Commissioner Paulus Sony Bhakti Wibowo, said the said road segment was temporarily closed. Both four-wheeled and two-wheeled vehicles are unable to as the water levels reaching from 30-100 cm.

According to Wibowo, the team in the field handled the flooded culverts and fixed the broken bridges immediately. He also reminded passersby to be careful when passing the Kereng Pangi road.

Read: Floods in Central Kalimantan Spread, 16,000 Houses Submerged

Karana WW | Maudey K. Setyakusuma