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)