Barabai, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Hantakan River overflowed after heavy rain intensity this morning in mountainous areas. Some emergency bridges in Hantakan Sub-district, Central Hulu Sungai (HST) District, were again damaged and broken, Tuesday (May 25, 2021).
"The river water started rising this morning at around 10.30 WITA (Central Indonesia Time) and carrying bamboo scraps of trash hit bridges in Alat Village," said Syamsul, a resident of the village.
The impact of trees caused the emergency bridges to cut off or damage, while roads near the bridges collapsed.
The rise of about 1.5 meters of river water only lasted about half an hour. Syamsul said the water had started to recede.
Given the emergency bridge is very important for villagers, said Syamsul, residents will work together to repair it again.
"Maybe what needs to be watched out for now is the riverbank area in Barabai," he said.
Related news: HST suffers a hundred billion loss of damaged roads and bridges after flood
Acting Head of HST Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) H Budi Haryanto was confirmed that two emergency bridges in Alat Village were cut off.
Currently, the agency and related stakeholders are preparing contingent steps to anticipate an increase in water discharge.
"The current of Hantakan River that reaches Barabai City is indeed very swift. Residents who live along the riverbank must be alert, but don't panic," he said.
From the monitoring of the BPBD team at the Simpang Tiga Ulama of Barabai River, the water level in the range of 110cm - 190cm was still in normal limits.
Apart from the Hantakan River, Batang Alai River water has also increased by about 20 cm. According to Budi, the situation and conditions in the Batang Alai River are still safe.
He stated that his team continues to monitor developments in the Hantakan River and Batang Alai River. He appealed to the public not to panic but remain vigilant.
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