Indonesia: Flooding affecting parts of South Kalimantan Province as of Jan. 19

Event

Heavy rains and major flooding are affecting parts of South Kalimantan Province as of Jan. 19. The most affected areas include Balangan, Banjar, Barito Kuala, Central Hulu Sungai, and Tanah Laut regencies. Flooding is also affecting other locations such as Tabalong and Tapin regencies and Banjarmasin city. The severe weather conditions have reportedly killed at least 15 people and displaced at least 110,000 people. Multiple roads across the province are blocked. The Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG) forecasts rains to persist in parts of the province through at least Jan. 22. Disruptions may continue through the end of January.

Hazardous Conditions
Heavy rainfall has triggered flooding in various parts of South Kalimantan Province, especially the low-lying areas. Urban flooding is also possible in developed areas with easily overwhelmed or a lack of stormwater drainage systems. Sites located downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides cannot be discounted in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where the soil has become saturated by heavy rainfall.

Reports indicate at least 110,000 people have evacuated, and authorities could issue additional mandatory evacuation orders for other flood-prone communities. Electricity outages have occurred in several localities, including Banjar and Tanah Laut regencies and Banjarmasin city, and additional areas may experience similar disruptions. Telecommunications service outages may also occur in areas with significant flooding or landslides.

Transport
Floodwaters and debris flows may render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Flooding has blocked access between Astambul and Mataraman districts in Banjar Regency. Freight and passenger train delays and cancellations are possible. Ponding on road surfaces could cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities could temporarily close some low-lying routes impacted by floodwaters. Additionally, officials may close roads and airports, including Banjarmasin's Syamsuddin Noor International Airport (BDJ) and Kotabaru's Gusti Syamsir Alam (KBU), if the severe weather persists.

Localized business disruptions are likely, especially in low-lying areas. Businesses that remain open might not operate at full capacity because of flood damage to facilities, possible evacuations, and some employees' inability to reach work sites.

Health
Flooding may heighten the threat of disease outbreaks. Backflow from drains mixed with floodwaters can become trapped in open areas when inundations recede. These stagnant pools often become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and bacteria, increasing the incidence of insect- and water-borne diseases. Exposure to contaminated water from inundated industrial sites, sewer systems, and septic tanks also poses a significant health threat.

Advice

Seek updated information on weather and related disruptions, including road conditions before driving or routing shipments through areas where severe weather is forecast. Plan accordingly for potential freight delivery delays if routing shipments by truck through the affected area. Do not attempt to drive through flooded areas. Charge battery-powered devices if prolonged electricity outages occur.

Resources

Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics
Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Twitter