Banjarmasin at risk of sinking

Banjarmasin at risk of sinking

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Banjarmasin is at risk from
sinking unless the authorities take steps to conserve the
ecological balance of Kalimantan, an environmental expert warned
yesterday.

Desmond J. Mahesa, head of the Kalimantan presidium of the
Indonesian Forum for the Environment, said this week's flooding
in the upstream areas of the Barito River should serve as a
reminder that floods could easily affect Banjarmasin, which is
located below sea level near the river's mouth.

The North Barito Regency and part of the South Barito Regency,
both in Central Kalimantan province, have been swept by heavy
flooding this week. There were no reports of casualties but
thousands of families have been forced to flee their homes.

Desmond added that the current global warming is also causing
more frequent high tides, further threatening the town.

He said rapid forest denudation in Kalimantan is responsible
for the recent overflowing of many of Kalimantan rivers,
including the Martapura, Negara, Balangan, Tabalong, Barito,
Kahayan and Kapuas. Cities located downstream are more prone to
floods as a result, he added.

Banjarmasin is on the Barito and Martapura rivers.

Desmond said the city has been spared from flooding so far
because both rivers are very wide and deep. (emb)