Flash floods and lava floods hit several sub-districts in Agam District, Tanah Datar, Padang Panjang, Padang Pariaman, and Padang on May 11.Bukittinggi, West Sumatra (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported that the death toll from the Mount Marapi lava flood disaster increased by eight, thereby bringing the total victim count to 58, on Wednesday.
"The data is based on the report received by the BNPB Control and Operations Center this Wednesday," BNPB Deputy for Emergency Management Fajar Setyawan remarked.
Meanwhile, the number of missing victims had increased, from 27 to 35 people, for whom the search process is still underway. Moreover, 1,543 families were affected and 33 people were injured, he added.
According to Setyawan, victims were confirmed to come from the five affected districts and cities, namely Agam District, Tanah Datar, Padang Pariaman, Padang City, and Padang Panjang.
"The number is likely to increase due to assessment and searching and evacuating process carried out by BNPB and the regional disaster mitigation agency (BPBD) of West Sumatra," he stated.
He also ensured that all basic needs would be immediately distributed by land and air using helicopters for the disaster victims.
"The BMKG (Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency) also reported the potential for moderate to heavy rains in the next few days. Today, we are starting to carry out weather modification technology operations," Setyawan revealed.
Flash floods and lava floods hit several sub-districts in Agam District, Tanah Datar, Padang Panjang, Padang Pariaman, and Padang on May 11.
The disaster caused serious damage and cut off the Padang-Agam-Tanah Datar-Bukittinggi-Solok transportation route. The government then decided to roll out an emergency response period for the next 14 days starting from May 13.
The BNPB, with approval from Commission VIII of the House of Representatives (DPR), is ready to distribute assistance in the form of funding for disaster impact management operations from a total ready-to-use fund (DSP) allocation of Rp3.2 billion (US$198 thousand).
This is followed by the provision of logistical aid in the form of dozens of refugee tents, family tents, hundreds of basic food packages, ready-to-eat food, hygiene kits, dozens of tarpaulins, blankets, mattresses, solar panel lights, portable toilets, and tree saws.
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Translator: M. Riezko Bima E, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Arie Novarina
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