The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has addressed the\nphenomenon of the Kapuas River drying up in West Kalimantan. The Kapuas\nRiver serves as a vital distribution route for coal via barges.<\/p>\n
As the river\u2019s water levels have dropped due to a prolonged drought\nover the last four months, coal transport barges have become stuck and\nunable to navigate. Addressing the situation, Deputy Minister of ESDM\nYuliost Tanjung refuted claims that the operational delays were caused\nby production quota restrictions. He emphasised that the primary issue\non the ground is purely technical, caused by the drastic reduction in\nriver depth.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, it is not because production is being limited, because there is\nno water to float the barges. Yes, the river is drying up,\u201d he stated\nwhen met during The 12th Indonesia EBTKE ConEx 2026 in Jakarta on\nWednesday (2\/9\/2026).<\/p>\n
The decrease in river discharge has directly impacted mining\nlogistics mobilisation, particularly in East Kalimantan and surrounding\nareas. Coal transport vessels are reported to be stranded, forced to\nwait until water conditions allow for navigation to their\ndestinations.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, no. I checked that yesterday in Kalimantan. Precisely because\nthe river is drying up, the barges cannot move,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The phenomenon of the Kapuas River drying up has become a trending\ntopic on social media. An Instagram post by the @atr.drone<\/span> account showed a coal barge\nthat has been grounded in the Kapuas River for almost three months.<\/p>\n The receding water levels in Kampung Sungai Raya, Sekadau Hilir\nDistrict, Sekadau Regency, West Kalimantan, have created an unusual\nsight that has become a new attraction for the local community. The\nsight of a barge stranded in the middle of the river has drawn\nsignificant attention.<\/p>\n Sandbanks that are usually submerged at the bottom of the Kapuas\nRiver are now widely visible as the water level drops. This condition\nhas been utilised by locals as a makeshift tourist spot for relaxing,\ngathering with families, and enjoying the sunset.<\/p>\n The receding Kapuas River has transformed what is usually a flowing\nriver into an open space used by the community for recreation.<\/p>",
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