Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) informed on Saturday (January 20) that intense rainfall that has showered Central Kalimantan Province since early this week has made one city and five districts get flooded.

The affected regions are Palangkaraya City, and the districts of Murung Raya, Barito Selatan, Kotawaringin Barat, and Kapuas, Head of BNPB's Data Center, Information, and Disaster Communication Unit Abdul Muhari said.

"Murung Raya is the first district in Central Kalimantan that is impacted by the flash flooding. The floods hit 38 villages in six sub districts since January 15," he said.

As a result, some 31,178 residents got affected while the number of houses and schools inundated by the floodwaters was recorded at 9,527 and 28 units respectively, he said.

The floods that hit Murung raya District have also inundated 10 health facilities, 20 houses of worship, and 13 public facilities, he said, adding that 11 displaced families move to a higher ground.

The Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD)-Murung Raya Office has sent its personnel to affected areas to evacuate the flood victims and distribute relief aid packages to them, he said.

As of Saturday, the flood waters still reached an average height of 50-200 centimeters. Therefore, the Murung Raya district government has declared an emergency response status, made effective from Jan 17 to Feb 15.

In Barito Utara District, the floods submerged certain areas of 11 villages in six sub districts.

The flood waters impacted 40,067 residents and inundated 7,274 houses, 13 schools, three health facilities, 13 houses of worship, five village offices, and two traditional markets, he said.

The flood height has yet to recede. Instead, as of Saturday, it was reported to get higher, he said, adding that the BPBD-Barito Utara Office has coordinated with a joint team of personnel from related agencies.

In Barito Selatan District, the flood waters inundated certain areas of four sub districts affecting 43,461 residents while 3,602 houses were submerged by the floods with an average height of 100- 250 centimeters, he added.

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Translator: Devi NSR, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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