Emergency Response to Flood Disaster Extended in Indonesia's South Kalimantan

BANJARMASIN, KOMPAS.com - South Kalimantan Provincial Administration has extended the period of emergency response to February 10 as five municipalities have been submerged by floodwaters.  

The five regencies are Barito Kuala, Tanah Laut, Banjar, Tabalong, and Hulu Sungai Tengah. 

“Five regencies will still need attention because some of the residents are fleeing their homes,” said Mujiyat, acting head of South Kalimantan Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), in a statement on Thursday, February 4. 

Also read: Climate Change Means Indonesia at Higher Risk of Natural Disasters

Mujiyat said as many as 21,762 people have been displaced from their homes as water levels remain high for 21 days.   

"Meanwhile, a total of 113,894 people have returned to their homes," he added.

People living in South Kalimantan have been told to "be prepared" for more flooding for another week as water levels in rivers remain high.

Mujiyat said the regency government will be responsible for assisting the displaced people. The provincial government will only provide supports should the municipal government finds difficulties.

"Later, we will monitor the basic food subsidies. If they find it difficult to provide the logistics, we will help them," he explained.

Also read: Indonesia’s West Java Province at High Risk of Natural Disasters

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Border Management Agency (BNPP) distributed aid in the form of cash and basic necessities to the residents on January 29.

The ministry also continues to provide document replacement services for disaster victims. As of February 1, they have printed more than 95,000 family cards for disaster victims in South Kalimantan.

Based on the data received from South Kalimantan BPBD, a total of 633,723 people have been affected by the flood. 

The floods that hit the South Kalimantan province in January occurred due to extreme rainfall and decreased land cover (high-density forest), especially in upstream areas that carry out water storage functions.

(Writers: Banjarmasin Kontributor, Andi Muhammad Haswar, Sania Mashabi, | Editors: Teuku Muhammad Valdy Arief, Dani Prabowo, Krisiandi)

Sources: https://regional.kompas.com/read/2021/02/04/12193121/banjir-di-5-daerah-belum-surut-pemprov-kalsel-kembali-perpanjang-masa

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