Barges Warned Against Sailing In Barito River

Muara Teweh, Jan 3 (ANTARA) - The water surface of the Barito river in Central Kalimantan, rose much higher than the normal level that barges and other big vessels were not allowed to sail in the river below the KH Hasan Basri bridge spanning the river in Muara Teweh. "As from Thursday all barges carrying minerals especially coal and timber are not allowed to sail down the river as the surface of the river water has risen too high," head of the district transport office Ferry Kusmiadi said. The river has served importantly to facilitate transport of goods especially coal and timber from the interior areas in Central Kalimantan. Heavy downpours in the upstream has lifted the water surface that the river already overflowe3d its banks in the regency of Barito Utara, Ferry said here on Thursday. In Muara Teweh the water surface has reached 11.6 meters or above the normal level that barges and big vessels could not pass below the 270 meters KH Hasan Basri bridge . "Fore the time being river transport especially with big vessel has to be postponed until the water surface falls," Ferry said. Tens of barges loaded with tens of thousands of tons of coal have to moor to trees on the river banks waiting until it is safe to sail below the bridge. A number of villages in nearby areas were already inundated by water from the river.