Currently, the TNI has established disaster posts and field kitchen and distributes aid to the victims.Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto delivered humanitarian aid -- 34 rubber boats, blankets, and 10 thousand packages of basic necessities -- from President Joko Widodo to flood victims in South Kalimantan.
The military chief has observed the flooded area in the districts of Tanah Laut and Banjarbaru in South Kalimantan on Saturday.
"Currently, the TNI has established disaster posts and field kitchen and distributes aid to the victims. We deployed heavy-duty vehicles to reopen road access and to distribute clean water," Tjahjanto noted in a statement here on Saturday.
Tjahjanto stated that the TNI will continue to evacuate the victims and search for the missing residents in coordination with the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Indonesian Police, Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), and volunteers.
The Indonesian Military has deployed 1,053 joint personnel from the Regional Military Command VI/Mulawarman, Army's Water Transport Battalion, Navy's Marine Corps, and Air Force's Special Forces.
"If they need a helicopter, then tell us. We will prepare it," the military chief remarked.
Severe flooding submerged almost all parts of South Kalimantan on Thursday, Jan 14, 2021, while two bridges collapsed, thereby severing access to the roads.
The province to be worst-affected by flooding was in Barabai, Central Hulu Sungai, with floodwaters reaching up to two meters.
As a result of torrential rains since Wednesday night, the rivers overflowed and rapidly inundated urban areas. Related news: Five people killed in South Kalimantan floods
Related news: Flooding forced 605 Samarinda residents to evacuate
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Abdu Faisal, Sri Haryati
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
