BNPB Says Floods In Kalimantan Are Repeated Over Years, Then What To Do?

Screenshot - Acting Head of the BNPB Data, Information and Disaster Center Abdul Muhari during an online Disaster Briefing in Jakarta, Monday (8/8/2022). (Antara/Devi Nindy)

JAKARTA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) noted that the floods that occurred in Kalimantan from 1-7 August 2022 were a repetition of the floods in previous years.

Acting Head of the BNPB Data, Information and Disaster Center, Abdul Muhari, in the Disaster Briefing explained that flooding in Kapuas Hulu District, West Kalimantan and Katingan District, Central Kalimantan occurred for several periods.

Flooding in Kapuas Hulu on August 4-5, there were 4,015 families or 13,335 people affected, 2,984 houses were submerged, 1 bridge was damaged, and others.

"If we look at the trend of disaster occurrences in Kapuas Hulu Regency, indeed from the last two or three years, from 2020, 2021 and 2022, flooding is dominant, very dominant," said Abdul as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, August 8.

Abdul explained, President Joko Widodo paid great attention to the area, and how to restore areas along river areas, water catchment areas, so that potential risk of flooding can be reduced in this year's rainy season.

From the results of the overlay with the flood hazard map, Abdul said that the water catchment area should be restored and reforested, so that it can absorb water and minimize potential flood hazards.

Next, for Katingan Regency, Central Kalimantan, Abdul advised that there should be no repetition of flood events when facing the 2022 rainy season which is predicted to start in September-October.

For this reason, efforts are needed to optimize water channels, both primary, secondary, and tertiary channels.

"If there are levees that are not strong enough to allow water to run off, we will immediately strengthen them. There should be no garbage in the waterways and we have to restore areas along the river," he said.

Floods in Katingan Regency affected 733 families, and 409 houses were affected.

Although in Central Kalimantan, the proportion of disasters is mostly caused by forest and land fires (karhutla), Abdul advised all parties to remain vigilant, because the rainy season will soon enter.