Public Works Ministry strengthens forest and land fire handling in Kalimantan
The Ministry of Public Works (PU) continues to strengthen the handling of drought and forest and land fires (karhutla) in Kalimantan.
Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo said the ministry is continuously enhancing preparedness for potential forest and land fires and drought through strengthened cross-sector coordination as well as the provision of infrastructure and supporting resources needed on the ground.
“The Ministry of Public Works does not only focus on infrastructure development, but also ensures that the infrastructure can be optimally utilised to support disaster management, maintain water availability, protect the environment, and guarantee public safety,” said Dody in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The Ministry of Public Works continues to take responsive measures in dealing with the impacts of the dry season in several areas of Kalimantan. The handling is carried out through meeting the need for clean water for communities affected by drought as well as handling forest and land fires.
In Kubu Raya Regency, West Kalimantan Province, the lack of rainfall during the dry season has caused a decline in the availability of clean water sources for the community. This condition has affected around 115 households or 230 people in Sidomulyo Hamlet, Limbung Village, Sungai Raya District.
As a handling measure, the Ministry of Public Works, through the Kalimantan I Pontianak River Basin Agency (BWS), in cooperation with the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) of West Kalimantan Province, distributed 10,000 litres of clean water/drinking water to meet the basic needs of the community, particularly for drinking, cooking, and other household needs.
Meanwhile, according to the Minister of Public Works, the dry conditions in South Kalimantan Province have also increased vulnerability to forest and land fires.
Therefore, the Ministry of Public Works, through the Kalimantan III Banjarmasin River Basin Agency, has moved to handle two locations, namely Jalan Pemajatan, Gambut District, Banjar Regency, and Trans Matang Hanau Village, Lampihong District, Balangan Regency.
The fire on Jalan Pemajatan, Gambut District, Banjar Regency, burned approximately 6 hectares of land.
Meanwhile, in Trans Matang Hanau Village, Lampihong District, Balangan Regency, the burned land reached approximately 3 hectares.
In an effort to accelerate handling and prevent the fire from spreading further, the Kalimantan III Banjarmasin River Basin Agency deployed Disaster Management Task Force personnel and portable firefighting equipment to the incident locations.
The handling was carried out swiftly to control the fire and minimise the impact on the environment and surrounding communities.
The Ministry of Public Works continues to strengthen coordination with local governments and relevant agencies in dealing with the impacts of the dry season. This step is taken to ensure that the basic needs of the community remain met while supporting disaster control and mitigation efforts in affected areas.