Indonesia, Flooding in East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan

JAKARTA - Floods that occurred since Monday (6/9) in East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan have inundated 1,118 houses, as reported by the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of East Kotawaringin Regency until Monday (14/9) at 16.53 WIB. Due to this disaster, the Regent of Kotawaringin Timur Regency established an Emergency Response Status for Flood Disaster Management for 14 days, starting from 14-27 September 2020. As many as 1,118 houses that were flooded were divided into eight villages in Antang Kalang District, six villages in Telaga Antang District and four villages in Mentaya District. The flood with a water level of 80-150 centimeters caused by the overflowing of the Mentaya river also affected approximately 1,118 households and forced several residents to flee independently at the homes of their relatives. The Rapid Reaction Team (TRC) of BPBD of Kotawaringin Timur Regency continues to conduct rapid assessments, assist in the evacuation process, set up flood post tents in each sub-district and provide logistical assistance by cooperating with several parties, both from government and business sectors. The local health office has also provided outreach and health services for the affected communities. Meanwhile, according to weather forecasts from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), heavy rains that can be accompanied by lightning and strong winds still have the potential to occur in most areas of Central Kalimantan Province until next Wednesday (16/9). Apart from Central Kalimantan, other regions that have the same weather forecast include East Kalimantan, North Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, North Sulawesi, Gorontalo, Central Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, North Maluku, West Papua and Papua. Seeing the impact of the disaster triggered by weather factors and the results of weather forecasts from the BMKG, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) requested that regional policy makers be able to mitigate disasters and immediately take necessary actions in relation to disaster risk reduction.