Monardo was scheduled to leave for East Flores on Sunday evening, but the departure was hindered by extreme weather in NTT, the agency's expert staff, Egy Massadiah, stated here on Monday
"Owing to the weather last night at the destination location, (his departure) was not possible. Hence, it was postponed until this morning at 5 a.m. WIB (Western Indonesian Standard Time)," he remarked.
During his stay in NTT, he is accompanied by NTT Deputy Governor Josep Nae Soi and local senator Yorrys Raweyai and Angelius Wake Koko.
Earlier, from March 30 to April 3, the BNPB chief and his entourage had paid a series of visits to Nunukan in North Kalimantan, Mamuju in West Sulawesi, and Palu in Central Sulawesi to review post-disaster handling in those natural disaster-hit regions.
Related news: East Flores landslide claims 10 lives, renders tens of people missing
“This is not the first time that we have to go on a marathon trip from one area to another. After returning to Jakarta, he soon has to leave again for other regions hit by disaster. Well, that is what happened this morning," he stated.
Flash floods and landslides struck several villages in East Flores on Sunday at around 1 a.m. local time following strong winds and incessant heavy rains lashing the region.
The affected villages comprised Nelelamadike in Ile Boleng Sub-district, Waiwerang and Waiburak in East Adonara Sub-district, Oyang Barang and Pandai in Wotan Ulumado Sub-district, and Waiwadan and Duwanur in West Adonara Sub-district.
A total of 62 people reportedly died in the natural disasters in East Flores. Search and rescue operations were continued to find more victims swept away by flash floods or buried by landslides. Related news: Landslide burries hundreds of residents of East Flores, NTT
Translator: Devi Nindy SR, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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