BNPB: 33,221 Residents In Sintang Still Refuge Due To Flood

A number of residents are being evacuated due to flooding in the Sintang area of West Kalimantan that has occurred since October 21, 2021. (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) stated that until now floods are still inundating 12 sub-districts in Sintang, West Kalimantan, as a result 10,381 families or 33,221 affected residents are still displaced.

"The displaced Sintang residents are spread across 32 refugee posts operated by the local Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD)," said the acting Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center Abdul Muhari, through a press release received by Antara, in Pontianak, Sunday, 14 November.

Abdul Muhari said that the refugee post was supported by 24 public kitchens operated by a joint team under the command of the Sintang Regency BPBD.

According to him, based on data on Saturday, November 13 at around 17.00 WIB, the thousands of displaced residents came from nine sub-districts that had been affected by flooding since October 21, 2021.

"Floods still inundate the Sintang area, even though the water discharge had dropped, but these conditions made residents still survive in the refugee camps," he explained.

Abdul Muhari said, BPBD Sintang has also operated five field posts to serve the basic needs of residents, such as food intake and health services.

The five field posts are located in the Bamboo Monument, Traffic Post, Media Center, Ujung Kapuas Bridge, and Sintang District Office, while the command post is at the Sintang District BPBD Office.

"Refugee posts and public kitchens are spread across 12 sub-districts, especially points that are safe from puddles of water," he said.

Meanwhile, the Sintang BPBD recorded the number of affected populations, as many as 29,623 families or 88,148 people.

Abdul Muhari said the affected communities were spread across 12 sub-districts, including Kayan Hulu, Kayan Hilir, Binjai Hulu, Sintang, Sepauk, Temunak, Ketungau Hilir, Dedai, Serawai, Ambalau, Sei Tebelian and Kelam Permai sub-districts.

Local BPBD monitoring states that the highest affected areas are in Kayan Hulu, Kayan Hilir and Sintang sub-districts.

"Floods that hit many sub-districts have claimed the lives of two people and material losses such as heavily damaged bridges as many as five units and one unit is moderately damaged," he said.

Responding to conditions since the beginning of the flood, the local government led by BPBD Sintang Regency has made efforts to handle disaster emergencies.

The regional government has also extended the emergency response status for floods, hurricanes and landslides until November 16, 2021.

"On the other hand, BNPB continues to carry out emergency management of command posts in this district and we hope the flooding will recede soon," said Abdul Muhari.