Barabai alert to flooding, one bridge severely damaged

Barabai, S Kalimantan (Antaranews Kalsel) - Rivers in Central Hulu Sungai  (HST) District overflowed and several villages in Batu Benawa Subdistrict experienced flooding on Monday (2/14), after heavy rains struck from 01.00 to 09.00.


One of the crossing suspension bridges in Bakti Village, Batu Benawa Subdistrict, was severely damaged due to being hit by a lump of bamboo which is drifting in the river.

"Around 8:30 a.m., we received reports from residents that the bridge in Bakti Village was hit by a lump of bamboo. We immediately mobilized a team with the residents to do the cleaning," said H Ali from HST Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD).

According to him, the agency will continue to make efforts to clean up and monitor the location so that it does not have a more severe impact.

"After the water looks more receding, we will deploy tools to clean the remnants of bamboo so that it does not hit other bridges," Ali said.

Although the intensity of the rain began to decline, he urged residents to remain vigilant, especially in the downstream region and the city of Barabai. There could be an unexpected flood.

"We urge residents to remain vigilant. Keep children from playing on the banks of the river and secure valuables," he said.

Sub-district Head of Batu Benawa H Jamhari said that his party continued to monitor flood-affected villages, such as Kahakan, Baru, Paya, Pagat, Aluan to Barabai.

"We have also monitored the rice fields of the agricultural area, which must be watched out for the occurrence of puso (harvest failure) due to puddles that are too long because the rice-fields here have almost harvested," he said.