Flooding in Berau claimed the lives of two elderly residents; residents should be aware of heavy rain until Eid.

Since Monday (March 25, 2025), eight villages in Berau Regency, East Kalimantan, have been wiped out by flooding. These communities are spread out across four sub-districts. The floods, which ranged in height from one to three meters, were responsible for the deaths of two elderly citizens.

According to Nofian Hidayat, who is the head of the Emergency and Logistics Division of the Berau Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the two elderly citizens who passed away were a woman named Yea Deng who was 70 years old and a man named Lajiu Langa who was 68 years old. His party is still noting additional casualties and is in the process of evacuating residents.

Although it has begun to lessen in a number of locations today, there is still a significant amount of rain falling in the vicinity of the major route from Segah. According to Nofian, some locations on the road are underwater within a distance of almost one meter.

According to the BPBD Berau, floods have flooded at least eight villages that are spread out throughout four sub-districts. These villages are located in the Kelay Sub-district, the Sambaliung Sub-district, the Teluk Bayur Sub-district, and the Segah Sub-district. There were a lot of public institutions, residential areas, and gardens that were flooded, according to Nofian.

The Berau Regency Police Department and a combined team are currently searching residential areas in an effort to rescue those who are still trapped. Assistance with logistics is still being provided to those in need.

“The volunteer team and related agencies are moving quickly to collect data and provide logistical assistance and medical care,” stated Nofian in response.

Steer clear of flooding.
The overflowing of the Kelay River, which runs through a number of towns, plantations, and centers of community activities in Berau, was the source of this catastrophe. The Kelay River overflowed as a result of the heavy rain that was falling within the river flow.

BMKG Berau Ade Heryadi, who is the head of the organization, stated that this condition is supported by a number of additional criteria. According to him, the anomaly in the sea surface temperature of Sulawesi can still be considered beneficial. In addition, North Kalimantan is home to a wind bend that stretches all the way around to West Kalimantan.

According to BMKG Berau, there is a possibility that 13 sub-districts will continue to experience conditions ranging from moderate rain to thunderstorms till the end of April. He urged the people living there to be on the lookout for landslides in addition to being mindful of the possibility of flooding.

“In Kampung Merasa (Kelay), we have equipment available for use. Ade stated that it is possible to quickly implement mitigation measures in the form of information and communication by observing the pattern of rising river water levels.