The Martapura Meluap River, Banjar Regency In South Kalimantan Floods

Members of the Pengaron Police, the Banjar Police, evacuated residents at the flood site in Pengaron District, Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan, Sunday (26/2/2023). (Between/Firman)

The Banjar Police through the ranks of the TNI and local governments opened evacuation posts and public kitchens in flood locations in several sub-districts in Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan that were affected.

"Today the flood is quite severe in Pengaron District with a height of up to one meter, I have ordered members to establish evacuation posts and public kitchens," Banjar Police Chief AKBP M Ifan Hariyat in Martapura as quoted by Antara, Sunday.

Even so, Ifan said that no residents had fled and still chose to stay in his house when the tide was high.

This is because the flood that occurs only briefly, which gradually recedes when it rains no longer.

"The flooding that occurred was also influenced by high tides which caused the Martapura River to overflow," he explained.

The police chief also appealed to the public in flood-prone locations to remain careful and vigilant because extreme weather with high rainfall is predicted by BMKG to still have the potential to occur in the next week.

"Members of the Sector Police continue to be on standby to monitor the water discharge while giving an appeal to residents to evacuate to safer places when floods hit," he said.

It is known that a number of areas affected by flooding in Banjar Regency during the high intensity of rain currently include Pengaron District, Mataraman District, West Martapura District and East Martapura District.