Floods In North Barito Expand, BNPB Reports 60,694 Affected People

JAKARTA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) stated that the floods that hit North Barito Regency, Central Kalimantan (Central Kalimantan), were widespread due to heavy rains with the total affected residents reaching 60,694 people.

"Flooding has occurred due to high intensity rain since Tuesday morning. This incident has an impact on tens of thousands of residents spread across nine sub-districts," said Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center Abdul Muhari in a statement in Jakarta, Antara, Wednesday, April 23.

Based on BNPB data, 60,694 people affected by the flood consisted of 20,333 families. They come from nine affected sub-districts including Montallat, Teweh Baru, Teweh Tengah, Teweh Timur, Teweh Selatan, Lahei Barat, Lahei, Gunung Purei, and Gunung Timang. These areas cover 70 villages and sub-districts.

In addition to inundating residential areas, he continued, flooding also caused damage to infrastructure. There were 11,354 houses, 96 worship facilities, 82 educational facilities, 32 health facilities, 51 government buildings, and 39 bridges, affected by flooding.

Abdul ensured that the North Barito Regency Government (Pemkab) had determined the status of the Flood Disaster Emergency Response for seven days, from April 21 to 27, 2025, based on the Decree of the Regent of North Barito Number 188.45/77/2025.

The status determination allows local and central governments to accelerate the distribution of the assistance needed to deal with the impact of disasters.

In fact, he said, teams from the Central Kalimantan BPBD and the North Barito Regency BPBD continued to coordinate with relevant agencies as well as monitoring and data collection in the field.

BNPB confirmed the urgent needs needed at the disaster site including ready-to-eat food, family and toddler equipment packages, blankets, mattresses, tarpaulins, tents, kitchen utensils, school supplies and hygiene, lighting, clarity and water pumps, generators, rubber boats, portable toilets, and public kitchen cars.

Until now, he said, the water level was reported to have begun to recede with a range of 50 to 150 centimeters in a number of affected locations.

"BNPB continues to monitor developments in the field and encourages cross-sectoral coordination so that handling runs quickly and is coordinated. The public is advised to remain alert to potential aftershocks and follow official information from the authorities," said Abdul Muhari.