Caution For Residents Along The Kapuas River, Pontianak BMKG Issues Early Warning For Potential Coastal Flood

Caption: The big flood that hit Kapuas Hulu on October 2-3, 2021 (Photo: Teofilusianto Timothy/Antara)

JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Pontianak, West Kalimantan issued an early warning of potential tidal flooding in the Kapuas River bank area, Pontianak City and its surroundings.

"This warning is primarily intended for residents living on the outskirts of the Kapuas River and other low-lying areas," said Pontianak Maritime BMKG forecaster Mega Fitriyawati in a written statement in Pontianak, reported by Antara, Tuesday, November 9.

She explained that based on data recorded, the tide currently reaches its maximum height, which is about 1.6 meters above sea level, this height occurs at 09.00 a.m.-11.00 a.m. local time.

"So, the maximum high tide with peak tide time is around 09.00 a.m. - 11.00 a.m., riverbank areas, and low areas will be inundated with varying water levels," she explained.

Pontianak Mayor Edi Rusdi Kamtono admitted that he would further optimize the function of the ditch in the city, this was done so that the water quickly descended to the Kapuas River to prevent tidal flooding.

"We will optimize the existing ditches in Pontianak City to overcome the problem of waterlogging during the rainy season," he said.

According to Edi, Pontianak's characteristics are different from the area of Java, which has a lot of mountains. The river in Pontianak, if dredged to increase its depth, is not effective enough, because there will be more silt, even from the Kapuas River it will also enter the ditch in Pontianak City.

Therefore, Mega Fitriyawati asked residents to be aware of bad weather and high waves.