North Luwu Regent States Levee Repairs are Essential to Combat Flooding

When asked about the necessary course of action, Regent Andi Abdullah Rahim stated to the media on Wednesday (3/6/2026) that the priority must be addressing the breached points, specifically in Polewali Village and Beringin Jaya Village. The Regent revealed that the breach in Polewali Village, Baebunta District, spans 100 metres, while the second breach in Beringin Jaya Village, South Baebunta District, extends approximately 300 metres.

He explained that the 300-metre breach in Beringin Jaya has caused flooding to spread across several villages in the Baebunta and South Baebunta districts, including Baloli, Lembang-lembang, Wara, Polewali, and Mekarsari Jaya. Furthermore, the 100-metre breach in Polewali has led to flooding in Tingkara Village (Malangke District), Tolada, Polewali, and Mario, causing significant losses for local residents.

Andi Rahim noted that these levees had previously undergone repairs by the Pompengan Jeneberang River Basin Organisation (BBWS). However, due to high rainfall, the river overflowed and caused the levees to breach once again. He stressed the urgency of repairing these points to prevent the waters from the Masamba and Rongkong rivers from spreading into residential areas.

Previously, it was reported that seven sub-districts in North Luwu, South Sulawesi, were submerged due to heavy rainfall and levee breaches. The disaster has affected 12,307 residents, with 110 people forced to evacuate. The North Luwu Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) official, A. Zulkarnain, stated that the flooding in these seven sub-districts has persisted since Wednesday (13/5/2026). In response, the North Luwu Regency Government has declared a flood emergency status, effective from 18 May until 16 June.

Zulkarnain reported that the floods have inundated at least 29 villages, damaging numerous facilities including 34 places of worship, 10 health facilities, 27 educational institutions, and 6 bridges, while 121,000 metres of road remain submerged. The affected population includes 558 elderly individuals, 330 toddlers, 3,557 families, 29 pregnant women, and 6 persons with disabilities.

The Deputy for Logistics and Equipment of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Andi Eviana, personally inspected several flood sites in North Luwu on Sunday (31/5), accompanied by the Regent and regional leadership. During the inspection, the BNPB distributed flood relief aid worth Rp 607 million to the North Luwu Local Government, consisting of food packages, mattresses, folding beds, ready-to-eat meals, family kits, blankets, and 2,000 geobags for flood containment.