South Kalimantan Is Still Under Floods, The Water Reaches 2 Meters High

JAKARTA - Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center, Raditya Jati, revealed that the floods that occurred in Tanah Laut District, South Kalimantan Province are still hitting until now.

Raditya said, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Tanah Laut Regency reported that currently the monitored water level is around 1.5 meters to 2 meters.

"The water level submerged 6,346 housing units. In addition, BPBD also continues to collect data on 5 refugee points for the community," Raditya said in his statement, Friday, January 15.

Based on updating of data compiled by the Operations Control Center for the National Disaster Management Agency as of January 15, 2021 at 11.40 WIB, 21,990 people have been affected by the flood. This figure is increased from the number of thousands of residents who were affected yesterday.

"As many as 21,990 people were affected by flooding in Tanah Laut Regency, South Kalimantan Province due to high intensity rain which caused river water in Pelaihari District to overflow," said Raditya.

BPBD Tanah Laut Regency also informed that the road access from Palaihari to Banjarmasin was cut off due to flooding. Currently, the team, said Raditya, is working together in handling the disaster that occurred.

"Tanah Laut Regency BPBD also lists some urgent needs that are needed by the affected community, such as clothing, food, tarpaulin, mattresses, blankets and basic disaster equipment," he said.

Based on BMKG monitoring, South Kalimantan has the potential to experience light to moderate rain. Raditya appealed to the public to remain vigilant and alert, amidst the rainy season which will occur until February 2021.