“Yes, we will hold a ministerial-level meeting on disasters in several regions, particularly Sumatra, with affected governors and regents joining,” said Deputy for Operations and Preparedness at the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Edy Prakoso in Jakarta.
The meeting, chaired by Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. local time at the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) command center in East Jakarta.
Senior officials from Basarnas, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and regional leaders are expected to attend.
The forum will review ongoing emergency measures and accelerate logistics support, evacuations, and early recovery efforts in areas battered by a week of extreme rainfall.
Basarnas reported extensive damage in Central Tapanuli district, North Sumatra, where floods and landslides hit nine sub-districts: Badiri, Pinangsori, Lumut, Sarudik, Tukka, Pandan, Sibabangun, Tapian Nauli, and Kolang.
As of Wednesday evening (Nov. 26), more than 1,902 families had been affected, most of them in Kolang, where 1,261 families were impacted. A family of four was confirmed dead after being buried by a landslide.
In South Tapanuli district, flash floods and landslides struck Aek Ngadol, Hutagodang, Garoga, Batuhoring, and Hapesong Baru in Batang Toru sub-district.
Six people died in flash floods, while seven others were affected by a landslide in Parsariran, Hapesong Baru.
Sibolga city, also in North Sumatra, recorded its worst impact in South Sibolga sub-district, where eight people were confirmed dead and 21 remained missing as of Wednesday evening, according to the local Search and Rescue (SAR) post.
To support displaced residents, the SAR office in Nias, North Sumatra reported that at least three shelters were operating in Central Tapanuli, Sibolga, and South Tapanuli.
Joint rescue units from Basarnas, TNI, Polri, the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), water police, and local volunteers have been deployed to intensify search and rescue operations.
Translator: M Riezko Bima Elko Prasetyo, Martha Herlinawati Si
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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