Two coal barges trapped in Barito river

At least two barges carrying about 3,500 tons of coal each have been trapped in the Barito River in Muara Taweh, Central Kalimantan due to floods which hit most parts of the province during the past several days, Banjarmasin Pos reported on Monday.

The newspaper said that the two barges, owned by Manasai Cooperative, had anchored in the middle of the river for at least two weeks for being unable to pass through the KH Basri bridge which connected the Muara Taweh town with villages in the other side of the river.

The incident could hamper the cooperative's target to produce about 16,000 tons of coal a year. The cooperative began its operation early last year.

The regent of the Barito Utara regency, Achmad Yuliansyah, confirmed that the floods which hit the area during the past several days had caused the Barito to over flood. As the result, barges and large ships could not pass through the KH Basri bridge due to the raise in the water level, he added. (*)