West Kutai Has Been Revoked, Flood Emergency Response Status In East Kalimantan Stays In Mahakam Ulu Area

Illustration. Residents affected by flooding in Barak Bay, South Putussibau, Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan, used a boat, Monday 27 November 2023. (ANTARA-Teofilusianto T)

JAKARTA - The Regency Government (Pemkab) of West Kutai (Kubar) has revoked the emergency response status of the flood disaster. This was conveyed by the Acting Governor (Pj) Governor of East Kalimantan (Kaltim) Akmal Malik.

Currently in East Kalimantan, only the Mahakam Ulu Regency Government (Mahulu) has not revoked the status.

"The Mahakam Ulu Regency Government has yet to revoke the emergency response status. We are still waiting for a letter from the district, and are still providing support to meet various community needs," said Akmal at the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Coordination Meeting regarding Post-Disaster Management and Recovery of Mahulu and Kubur Floods in Balikpapan, Sunday, May 2, confiscated by Antara.

Akmal expressed his appreciation to BPBD and all parties who were actively involved in handling floods and recovery after the disaster in Mahulu and Kubar Regencies.

"Alhamdulillah, to this day the basic needs of disaster-affected residents have been met," he said.

Akmal explained that the power outages at three points due to flooding in Ujoh Bilang, Long Bagun, and Long Iram sub-districts are currently being handled. "Now it's resolved, it's a hundred percent lit," he added.

The Director General of Regional Autonomy at the Ministry of Home Affairs also emphasized that the East Kalimantan Provincial Government fully supports PLN's efforts to restore electrical energy in post-disaster areas.

Including PLN, PLN asks the East Kalimantan Provincial Government to support land acquisition through which the electricity network reaches West Kutai.

"We are still waiting for the PLN letter and of course we support PLN's efforts to meet electrical energy for the community," he said.

In addition, Akmal ensures that the distribution of logistical needs and other necessities continues to flow and is channeled through the coordination of the Head of BPBD and the Regional Secretary of East Kalimantan Province Sri Wahyuni. "Kodam [May 27] 50 koli rice to immediately supply public kitchens in the post-disaster area," he said.