West Kalimantan Sintang Floods: 104 Teundak Villages Imprecisely Expanded Schools, Schools Holidayed

Illustrations - Motorcyclists pushed their vehicles as they broke through the flooded road. (Between)

KALBAR - The Sintang Regency Government (Pemkab) has decided to close teaching and learning activities in affected schools in the West Kalimantan (Kalbar) region.

Sintang Deputy Regent Melkianu said the policy was to maintain safety and unwanted things.

"Since Tuesday (October 11), we have issued a circular so that schools affected by floods take a temporary holiday," said Melkianus, in Sintang, West Kalimantan, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, October 12.

Based on data as of Tuesday, October 11, the Sintang Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) recorded that 104 villages in 10 sub-districts were flooded with water levels varying from 1.5 to 1.8 meters.

As a result of the flood, 43,682 people and 9,351 residential areas were affected. A number of road accesses were also cut off.

The 10 sub-districts are Sintang, Dedai, Sepauk, Temunak, Serawai, Binjai Hulu, Kayan Hilir, Kelam Permai, Central Ketungah and Ketungau Hilir sub-districts.

"We must prepare ourselves and increase preparedness if the overflow of the Kapuas river gets bigger," said Melkianus.

Separately, Sintang BPBD Head Bernhard Saragih said that until now his party continues to monitor and collect data on flood-affected areas, as well as evaluate people in need.

He also reminded the public to prioritize safety and increase preparedness in the face of the possibility of major flooding.

Saragih said that a number of water points that entered the Kapuas River could make flooding in Sintang City worse. Such as water from Kapuas Hulu Regency, water from Kayan Hulu and Kayan Hilir via the Kayan River, as well as water from Ambalau District and Serawai District via the Melawi River.

"Currently, a number of road sections in Sintang City have been flooded, it is feared that the overflow of water will be higher, so we all need to be prepared, including all levels of society," said Saragih.