Heavy rains flood Banjar

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: One person was killed when thousands of homes were flooded following heavy rains in Banjar regency here, which also led to the collapse of a bridge.

A staff member at the natural disaster coordination post here, H.A. Zaini Razak, told Antara Tuesday that the worst affected areas were eight villages or subdistricts: Sungai Rangas, Keliling Benteng, Tangkas, Sungai Batang, Teluk Selong, Pekauman Dalam, Pekauman Ulu and Murung.

The victim who died was a resident of Bangkal in Cempaka district. Twenty elementary schools, one junior high school and four health community centers, and at least 1,523 hectares of farmland, were reported to be under water.

In Martapura alone, 627.75 hectares of farmland were flooded.

Zaini said an even larger flood was feared if heavy rains coincided with the high tide of the Martapura river.