Balangan raises alert again against flood

Paringin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - River water discharge in Balangan District has increased again due to rainfall since predawn, and residents should be aware of the possibility of flooding again.

A resident of Auh Village, Tebing Tinggi Sub-district, Muhammad Fauzi here on Monday said that the water level at his village has indeed risen but for now it considered still safe, because the water has not entered the house.

Acting Head of Prevention and Preparedness of the Balangan Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) Muhammad Syuhada confirmed that currently, the water level of Balangan River is increasing. People are expected to stay alert, especially that seven sub-districts have been hit by the flood.

The river overflow, he said, occurred in the 3-way junction to the border between Tariwin Village and Lokbatu Village in Batumandi Sub-district. The water level is up to the knee of an adult.

“People should remain vigilant. There is a possibility that the water discharge to continue to increase if it rains in the mountainous area,” he said.

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Previously, seven out of eight sub-districts in Balangan were affected by the flood, which inundated thousands of houses.

TRC members stay on standby to watch out if rainfall. They must be responsive to the report of a flood. The team continues to patrol areas prone to flood.

Not only flood, but Syuhada also warned people about whirlwind disaster that could occur at any time and reminded the public to always be vigilant.

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