Trans-Kalimantan Highway submerged

Trans-Kalimantan Highway submerged

PALANGKARAYA, Central Kalimantan: The flow of traffic along the Palangkaraya-Tumbang Dua road, part of the Trans-Kalimantan Highway, was paralyzed by the overflowing waters of Kahayan river.

Hundreds of trucks distributing basic commodities from the provincial capital of Palangkaraya to remote areas in the province were trapped by the flood, which was caused by heavy downpours on Friday and Saturday.

The water level reached one meter as it continued to rain on Saturday.

Supriadi, a truck driver, said he and many other drivers had been stranded on the road for several days, but many public transportation services, including buses, had suspended operations until the flood had receded.

"On Thursday, five trucks crashed into muddy areas near Tumbang Nusa, and I'm one of the hundreds of drivers whose trucks have been also trapped by the flood for several days," he said.

Because of the heavy rains over the past week, the regencies of Murung Raya and North and South Barito were also inundated, Antara news agency reported on Saturday. -- Antara