Indonesia: Flood inundates tens of homes in Muara Teweh, C. Kalimantan

Antara 22 Nov 16;

Muara Teweh (ANTARA News) - A flood inundated tens of homes in Muara Teweh, North Barito District, Central Kalimantan Province, following incessant heavy rain that caused Bengaris River to overflow.

"Several homes have been flooded since 4 a.m. local time, and the flood is expected to subside at noon," Hariadi, a local inhabitant, said here on Tuesday morning.

Heavy down pour began at midnight and lasted until 2 a.m. local time, triggering Bengaris River to spill over its bank.

Flood waters reaching a height of up to one meter submerged Mekar Indah and two other residential area.

Earlier, the National Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics agency (BMKG) had forecast that moderate to high intensity rainfall would hit areas across Indonesia this November.

South Sumatra, Bengkulu, Lampung, Bangka Belitung, North Sumatera, Banten, West Java, Jakarta and surroundings, Central Java, East Java, Central Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi, Maluku, West Papua and Papua Provinces were to witness rainfall.

Therefore, the agency had urged people living in disaster-prone areas to remain vigilant and prepared to deal with any disasters to prevent casualties.

The country is, however, expecting the rainy season to peak in January and February 2017, especially in Jakarta and its suburban areas.
(T.K009/Uu.F001)


Three die from flood, lightning
The Jakarta Post 23 Nov 16;

A flood and lightning storm killed at least three people in Banyumas regency, Central Java, during high intensity rain in the area over the past three days.

The victims were Silan, 33, who was swept away by the flood in Watuagung village, Tambak district, Slamet Badi, 55, and Musirah, 58, residents of Wlahar Kulon village in Patikraja district who were struck by lightning while on their way to their rice fields on Tuesday.

“Heavy downpour had taken place since Saturday evening and caused several floods,” Banyumas Disaster Response chief Heriana Ady said in a press conference on Tuesday.

Floods have inundated at least 500 houses as well as numerous plots of paddy fields in the Tambak and Sumpiuh districts. Hundreds of people had been evacuated from their homes due to the torrential waters, Heriana said. The most severe flood, which reached up to 2 meters high, was in Prembun village.

Local authorities had warned residents to stay on alert due to the heavy rain, Heriana added.

Sumpiuh village resident Saridin, 45, said floods came and went and disrupted the livelihood and activities of the residents. He urged the Banyumas administration to focus on evacuating residents and to take preventive actions by repairing the river walls and by building a dam as a water catchment.