The aid packages that had been distributed through the warehouses of the Social Affairs Ministry in Palembang, the capital of South Sumatra Province, included food, evacuation equipment, clothes, and family disaster supply kits.
"The ministry's officials have coordinated with their colleagues in West Sumatra to handle those affected by the flash flood and observe the current situation," Social Affairs Minister Juliari Batubara said in a press statement here on Sunday.
The Social Affairs Ministry has also dispatched its workers from the social protection for natural disaster victims unit to assess the survivors' needs, he said.
This year, flash floods had struct the South Solok District areas two times, namely on Nov 20 and Dec 13. The latest flash flood inundated the subdistricts of Koto Parik Gadang Diaeh, Sungai Pagu, and Pauh Duo.
The flash flood that struck South Solok District on Dec 13 inundated some one thousand houses at a depth of 30 to 120 centimeters, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
"The flash flood was caused by rains with high intensity," Head of the BNPB Data and Information Center and Public Relations Service Agus Wibowo noted.
The flash flood also led to the collapse of a bridge. "Residents have been evacuated to higher ground on a self-reliant basis. Their number is still in the process of being counted," he said.
The Quick Reaction Team of the Solok Selatan District Disaster Mitigation Office, along with the Indonesian military and police personnel and emergency response unit Tagana members were still assisting the victims, he said.
On Dec 12, a mud flood, induced by torrential rains, also swept through Bolapapu Village, Kulawi Subdistrict, Sigi District, Central Sulawesi Province, killing two persons and compelling 707 others to flee their homes, BNPB revealed.
Related news: Flash flood hits South Solok District
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Translator: Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Suharto
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