"Floods have hit since last night owing to heavy rainfall that caused the Badau River to overflow," Badau District community leader Henny Sudayat remarked when contacted by Antara in Putussibau, the capital of West Kalimantan's Kapuas Hulu Regency, on Tuesday.
Sudayat revealed that currently, several lowlands, especially in the Badau Hilir area and around the Badau soccer field, were inundated.
He noted that such floods hit in the last few years, as the Badau River easily overflowed during the rainy season.
"The Badau River has undergone siltation, and blockage has occurred owing to vast quantities of plastic waste in the river," Sudayat pointed out.
Sudayat believes that it was high time for the government to contemplate on finding a solution for dredging the Badau River to enable smooth drainage of water.
"Such conditions should not be allowed to drag on," he emphasized.
Nurul Hayati, 34, a resident of Badau Hilir, remarked that the flooding had hindered activities of the community making preparations for Eid al-Fitr.
"The night before Eid al-Fitr is Takbiran, and we must prepare to welcome Eid. Today's floods are expected to recede," Hayati remarked.
In the meantime, speaking in connection with the flood conditions, the implementation of the task of the Head of the Kapuas Hulu District Disaster Management Agency, Rupinus said his side had yet to obtain a report on the flooding.
"We have not received a report related to the flood, but we will immediately do a check," Rupinus stated when briefly contacted by Antara.
Translator: Teofilusianto/Eliswan Azly
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
