Clearly, the Public Works and People's Housing Ministry is ready to build their houses as soon as possibleJakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo reviewed the condition of refugees in flash flood-hit Adonara sub-district, East Flores district, East Nusa Tenggara province on Friday evening.
"This evening I am in Adonara, East Flores district, East Nusa Tenggara province," the President said while delivering a statement on the Youtube Channel of the Presidential Secretariat in Jakarta on Friday.
In East Flores alone, the number of deaths from the Seroja tropical cyclone that triggered flash floods in East Nusa Tenggara reached 71, while five people remain missing, he noted.
The residents of Adomara will be resettled in new locations that the district head and the governor will designate later, Widodo said.
"Clearly, the Public Works and People's Housing Ministry is ready to build their houses as soon as possible," he said to the applause of refugees.
The head of state further appealed to the refugees to remain disciplined in following the health protocols, including wearing masks, to prevent COVID-19 from spreading further in the province.
Earlier, the President also visited a flash flood-hit area in Lembata district, East Nusa Tenggara, from where residents will be resettled to a safer area.
As of Thursday, 163 people have lost their lives in the Seroja tropical cyclone, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
"In total, 163 people died, while 45 others remain missing in East Nusa Tenggara," BNPB chief Doni Monardo said at an online press conference here on Thursday.
Most deaths were reported in East Flores district, particularly Adonara Island, where 71 people died and five others remain missing, he stated.
In Lembata district, 43 people died and 25 others are missing, while 27 people lost their lives and 14 others are untraceable in Alor district, he informed.
The natural disaster also claimed six lives in Malaka district and three lives in Kupang district, with one person still missing, he added.
In Kupang City, the disaster claimed the lives of six residents, he disclosed.
The tropical cyclone, which triggered flash floods, strong winds, and landslides, affected Kupang City, East Flores, Malaka, Lembata, Ngada, West Sumba, East Sumba, Rote Ndao, and Alor.
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Translator: Rangga P/Suharto
Editor: Gusti Nur Cahya Aryani
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