Good News, Floods In West Kalimantan Gradually Reducing Residents Return To Home

A number of flood victims carry packages of basic necessities while crossing a settlement on the banks of the Kapuas River, Sintang, West Kalimantan, Thursday, November 18. (Intermediate Photo)

PUTUSSIBAU - Floods that occurred in three districts of West Kalimantan (Kalbar) are gradually receding, although there are still puddles of water, a number of residents who had fled for more than two weeks decided to return to their respective homes.

"The floods in Melawi, Sekadau and Sintang have gradually subsided, some refugees have returned home," said Abdul Muhari, Acting Head of the Data, Information and Disaster Center of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), in a press release received in Putussibau, Friday. as reported by Antara.

Abdul Muhari said, based on the Melawi Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) report, Thursday, November 18, the water level has decreased by 50 to 100 centimeters, this condition has forced the displaced residents to return to their homes.

According to him, the latest data of residents who were displaced at that time amounted to 773 people. In addition, to ensure the health of returning residents, the local government together with the TNI and Polri provide free medical treatment, as happened in Pinoh Subdistrict, Melawi region.

"In Melawi Regency, 28,278 families or 108,455 people were affected and four people died, while material losses included 27,621 affected houses and 104 public facilities," explained Abdul Muhari.

Locations affected by flooding in the district are Menukung, Tanah Pinoh, Tanah Pinoh Barat, Nanga Pinoh, Sayan, Pinoh Selatan, Pinoh Utara, Ella Hilir, Belimbing, Belimbing Hulu and Sokan.

Sintang Flood

Another affected area in West Kalimantan Province is Sintang Regency. The flood, which has hit since Thursday (21/10), at 10.00 WIB has an impact on 12 sub-districts.

Abdul Muhari said, from BPBD data for Sintang Regency on Thursday (18/11), the water level gradually receded 50 centimeters, while in the Melawi River area it experienced the same decline.

The latest impact recorded by the Sintang Regency BPBD was that the affected population was 33,818 families or 112,962 people, residents displaced 7,545 families or 25,884 people.

"Those who fled were in 32 refugee posts. Four people died during the flood," said Abdul Muhari.

Regarding material losses, the local BPBD still continues to collect data in the field. Temporary data as of today states that 35,807 houses were affected, five bridges were heavily damaged, one bridge was moderately damaged and 61 substations were extinguished, while the total number of substations that had been extinguished was 77 units and 16 units have functioned normally.

There are also 12 affected sub-districts in Sintang Regency, namely Sintang, Kayan Hulu, Kayan Hilir, Binjai Hulu, Temunak, Kelam Permai, Sei Tebelian, Ketungau Hilir, Sepauk, Dedai, Serawai and Ambalau sub-districts. According to the identification of the district BPBD, there are still villages that are isolated due to this widespread flood.

Flood

In addition to Sintang Regency, said Abdul Muhari, the flooding in Sekadau is also gradually receding. According to the Sekadau Regency BPBD report, inundation is gradually receding in several areas.

"Some residents who had evacuated returned to their homes," he said.

Abdul Muhari said, for the evacuation of residents, there were 915 heads of families or 3,311 people.

"The BNPB Pusdalops is still waiting for the latest data on the number of residents who are still evacuating and areas where the flood inundation has begun to recede," explained Abdul Muhari.

Meanwhile, the impact of floods in the Sekadau area recorded that the affected population was 5,518 families or 19,601 people and one person died.

Regarding material losses, BPBD is still updating the affected infrastructure data, for temporary data it is recorded that the number of affected houses has reached 5,518 units.

Abdul Muhari said the Sekadau Regency Government was still setting the emergency response status in its area until November 30, 2021.

"This condition can be extended if conditions worsen. During this emergency response period, the local government will serve the affected people, especially those who are still displaced," said Abdul Muhari.

The sub-districts are affected by a number of these villages, including the Districts of Sekadau Hilir, Belitang, Belitang Hilir and Sekadau Hulu.

"BNPB continues to provide support, such as resource assistance in the form of personnel, logistics and ready-to-use funds. Until now, BNPB personnel are still in flood-affected areas along with BPBDs in three regencies in West Kalimantan," said Abdul Muhari.