Floods In Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan Are Widespread, Residents Are Asked To Be Alert

The flood conditions that occurred in Barak Bay, South Putussibau District, Kapuas Hulu Regency, West Kalimantan Province, Saturday (2/12/2023). ANTARA (Teofilusianto Timothy)

KapuaS HULU - Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Kapuas Hulu Regency, West Kalimantan asked the public to increase preparedness and vigilance in dealing with flood disasters which are currently increasingly widespread at a number of points in the area.

"A number of points in the city and a number of sub-districts on the coast of the river have been flooded, we ask the public to increase vigilance and prioritize safety," said Head of BPBD Kapuas Hulu, Gunawan, as reported by ANTARA, Saturday, December 2.

His party is still monitoring and collecting data while waiting for reports from each sub-district affected by the flood.

According to him, flooding caused by high rainfall intensity caused the Kapuas river and several other rivers to overflow.

Floods in the area have occurred since November 27, 2023, with conditions experiencing ups and downs and an average water depth of 50 centimeters to 1.5 meters.

However, due to the high intensity of rainfall in the last few days, a number of areas were flooded.

Gunawan said that from the monitoring of the Kapuas Hulu BPBD in the flood field, Boyan Tanjung District, Bunut Hilir District, Embaloh Hilir District, Bika District, South Putussibau District and North Putussibau District.

Meanwhile, the Boyan river, the Semangut river, the Mentebah river, the Sibau river and the Kapuas water discharge river have increased.

"It is not certain the number of houses and residents affected by the flood because we are still collecting data in the field and waiting for reports from villages and sub-districts," said Gunawan.

Gunawan appealed to all sub-district heads and village heads as well as sub-districts to immediately submit reports according to the format previously submitted through a circular.

"The data is important as a basis for us to convey to the leadership to take steps, especially the handling and determination of status when a natural disaster occurs like this," said Gunawan.

Based on BPBD Kapuas Hulu data, Wednesday (29/11) the floods suppressed Pengkadan and Bika sub-districts, it was recorded that 5,030 people from 1,678 families, as many as 78 public facilities were affected by flooding, even 1,105 houses were flooded.

On the other hand, based on data from the Kapuas Hulu Regency Education and Culture Office, Friday (1/12) yesterday, there were 20 schools in Kapuas Hulu that had to be closed due to flooding, one of which was SDN 03 Teluk Barak, SDN Tanjung Jati and a number of school buildings in the coastal area of the Kapuas river.

Sementara itu, pantauan ANTARA, di lokasi banjir tepatnya di daerah Teluk Barak, Kelurahan Kedamin Hilir, Kecamatan Putussibau Selatan, Sabtu (2/12) debit air semakin naik, bahkan sejumlah rumah warga sudah mulai tergenang banjir.

In addition, land transportation access on the Kalimantan Teluk Barak road was also cut off due to flooding, with an average water depth of 80 centimeters conveying it with 1.90 meters.

People living in Barak Bay were forced to use boats to carry out their daily activities and set a stage in their homes as a place for refugees during the flood.

Until 17.21 WIB, Saturday (2/12) afternoon, the water discharge was still rising and it was feared that there would be a large flood like a few years earlier.