South Kalimantan's Banjarbaru Hits One Meter High Flood

Members of the Banjarbaru Police along with the joint SAR team helped evacuate residents trapped by the flood in the Family Gang RT/RW 02/01, South Loktabat Village. (ANTARA/Word)

BANJABARU - Banjarbaru City, South Kalimantan, was hit by a one meter high flood at several points after heavy rains poured from early morning until noon.

"The areas worst affected by the floods include Cempaka Subdistrict and South Loktabat Subdistrict, South Banjarbaru District, until some are waist-high for adults," said Banjarbaru Police Chief AKBP Nur Khamid as quoted by Antara, Monday, July 4.

To help evacuate residents trapped by the flood, the Banjarbaru Police deployed a SAR team from the Samapta Unit along with a number of facilities, such as rubber boats and so on.

Patrols for residential areas affected by floods and monitoring of water discharge around the river in the Banjarbaru area were also carried out until this afternoon.

"One of the worst affected settlements by flooding is in Gang Keluarga RT/RW 02/01, Loktabat Selatan Village. Several residents have been evacuated to safer places," said Khamid.

Likewise in Cempaka District, Banjarbaru Police personnel along with a joint SAR team and volunteers continue to evacuate, especially women and children and the elderly who are priority.

"To ensure the smooth flow of traffic, Polantas members are on standby and provide directions to motorists when there is a diversion to avoid flooding," said the Police Chief.

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said the flooding that occurred in several areas in South Kalimantan on Monday was triggered by extreme rains with very heavy intensity in the areas of Banjarmasin City, Banjarbaru City and Banjar Regency.

Floods will gradually recede as the intensity of rain decreases and the flow of water discharges into rivers.