Floods hit nearly 11,000 people in S Kalimantan's Balangan District

 Flooding has affected nearly 11,000 people and submerged more than 3,500 homes across Indonesia’s Balangan district in South Kalimantan, local disaster officials said, prompting authorities to declare a flood emergency as heavy rains continue to batter the region.

The Balangan Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) reported that 10,949 residents were impacted and 3,511 houses inundated in 27 villages spanning seven sub-districts, making it one of the worst flooding episodes in the area in recent years.

Balangan District Head Abdul Hadi said the local government had declared an emergency response status that will remain in effect until January 3, 2026, as officials step up efforts to manage the aftermath of the disaster.

Speaking during an inspection of flood-hit areas on Sunday, Hadi voiced concern over the scale of the damage, particularly in Tebing Tinggi and Halong sub-districts, where water levels rose rapidly following intense rainfall.

“I am deeply concerned about the disaster affecting residents in Tebing Tinggi, Halong, and other areas,” Hadi said, urging communities to remain patient and resilient as authorities work to restore normal conditions.

He said post-flood response efforts are being carried out in an integrated manner, involving the district administration, the Indonesian military, the national police, local communities and volunteers working side by side.

According to Hadi, the immediate priority is clearing thick layers of mud and debris left behind by receding floodwaters so that homes, roads and public facilities can be used again as soon as possible.

Balangan Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Yulianor Abdi also expressed concern over the flooding, which began early Saturday and hit several villages, with Tebing Tinggi among the worst affected areas.

“To speed up recovery, I have instructed police personnel to be directly involved in cleaning mud and debris in affected neighborhoods,” Abdi said, adding that officers were working alongside residents.

Local authorities, together with the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum, also held dialogues with flood victims and distributed emergency assistance, including food supplies and essential items such as baby diapers, soap and candles.

Beyond Balangan, floods triggered by prolonged high-intensity rainfall have also struck several other districts in South Kalimantan, raising concerns about further disruptions if heavy rains persist.