"The BNPB appeals to all residents, who live in disaster-prone areas, especially landslide-prone area, to further increase preparedness and vigilance," Acting Head of BNPB's Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, noted in a statement received here on Saturday.
Muhari also suggested a long-term strategy through planting ecologically- and economically-based plants to strengthen the soil structure so as to prevent the occurrence of landslides.
"With this planting, it is hoped that it can minimize potential risks in areas prone to landslides as well as increase the economic value for local residents," he remarked.
Earlier, the BNPB noted that 121 houses and one school had been affected by landslides in Ambon City, Maluku Province, on Thursday.
The intensity of rains, which had continued to increase in Ambon City since May 29, 2023, caused flooding and landslides in the Nusaniwe, Sirimau, Ambon Bay, Ambon Baguala Bay, and South Leitimur sub-districts.
The incident occurred due to unstable soil structure, so it was unable to withstand high rainfall intensity.
Based on visual reports, the location of the landslide was in a fairly sloping area, so it had caused mild to severe damage to parts of roofs of the residents' houses.
The BNPB Operations Control Center noted that this incident affected 35 heads of households, or 495 people, in the Latulahat Village, Nusaniwe Sub-District, Ambon City.
After the disaster, the Ambon City Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) immediately reached the disaster site to conduct coordination and assessment.
Results of the temporary rapid assessment showed that the communication and electricity networks were not affected, so this facilitated the process of evacuation and handling of emergencies at the affected locations.
"Until today, 68 areas of landslides and four areas with inundation are spread over five sub-districts in Ambon," Ambon City BPBD Secretary Eva Tuhumury stated on Thursday.
Based on the BMKG weather forecast, the Ambon City area on Saturday is likely to receive light-intensity rains, so the people are advised to remain careful and step up their vigilance.
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Translator: Lintang Budiyanti Prameswari, Katriana
Editor: Sri Haryati
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