Jokowi Dismantles Causes Of Sintang Being Hit By Long Floods: Catchment Area Has Been Damaged For Decades

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 - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) openly explained why floods could hit Sintang Regency, West Kalimantan. Jokowi said the damage was at the point of the rain catchment area.

"Yes, it is indeed because of the damage to the catchment area, the rain catchment area that has been around for decades, which we must stop, because the main problem is there", said Jokowi.

Jokowi said that after he inaugurated the Serang-Panimbang Toll Road Section 1 Serang-Rangkasbitung Section, Lebak Regency, Tuesday, November 16.

"Yes, that's what we have to stop because the main problem is there. That's what we will fix later", Jokowi continued.

"Later, maybe next year we will build a nursery, so that there will be reforestation in upstream areas, in rain catchment areas, in catchment areas. We will repair them because the damage is there", said Jokowi again.

Not only damaging environmental conditions. Floods in Sintang were also exacerbated by heavy rains. Rainfall that falls is greater than normal days.

"And secondly, there was the rain that was more extreme than usual", he said.

Two days ago, Sunday, November 14, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) stated that floods were still inundating 12 sub-districts in Sintang, West Kalimantan, as a result, 10,381 families or 33,221 affected residents were still displaced.

"The displaced Sintang residents are spread across 32 refugee posts operated by the local Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD)", said Abdul Muhari, Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center.

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