FLOODS HIT 11 VILLAGES IN SOUTH KALIMANTAN

Kotabaru, S Kalimantan, April 19 (ANTARA) - Floods inundated at least 642 houses at 11 villages in Kotabaru district, South Kalimantan province, over the past few days with water level in worst-hit areas reaching up to 1 meter.

By Monday flood water in most of affected areas began to recede with local residents resuming their daily activities, head of the Kotabaru national unity, political and public protection board Hariansyah said.

"The residents who previously evacuated to their neighbors' homes or higher grounds have returned home," he said.

The floods were caused by the overflowing of Cantung river triggered by a week of high rainfalls in the Meratus mountain range and environs, he said.
The flooded homes include 25 at Bangkalan Dayak village, 137 at Karang Payau village, 124 Banua Lawas village, 176 Sungai Kupang village, four at Cantung Kiri Hilir village, five at Karang Liwar village, 17 at Mangkirana village and six at Laburan village, all in Kelumpang Hulu subdistrict.

In Sungai Durian subdistrict, the floods affected at least 50 homes at Gendang Timburu village and eight homes at Rantau Budha village.

A total of 80 houses at Magalau Hulu villages and 16 houses at Magalau Hilir villages in Kelumpang Barat subdistrict were also inundated.

There was no immediate report of casualties or material damage in the floods.