Head of the BPBD Mentawai Islands Elisa Siriparang said here on Tuesday that the floods had affected around 1,312 families in some villages in four subdistricts, namely South Siberut, North Siberut, Central Siberut and South West Siberut.
However, the logistic and aid distribution to the affected region was hampered by bad weather. Thus, ships distributing staple foods from Padang might fail to sail to Mentawai Island District, Siriparang said.
Mentawai Islands might run out food supply if there was no ship distributing groceries to Siberut on Sunday, Siriparang said.
"The medicine supply and the number of medical personnel are enough for now. However, I am afraid in the next three days, in the post-disaster, the number of ailing victims will increase due to the lack of clean water supply that might cause diarrhea, flu, and skin irritation," Siriparang said.
Chief of Mentawai Islands health service Warta Siritoitet said some victim were suffering from diseases such as cough and influenza caused by cold weather after being too long staying in wet areas.
The health service has deployed at least 12 medical personnel that is divided into two teams, each consisting of a specialist, two general physicians and three nurses.
The institution has also established health monitoring posts in several locations such as Mongapola Village of North Siberut and Salappa Hamlet of South Siberut to give medical services for the flood victims.
Meanwhile, Mentawai Islands District on Tuesday has been declared in a status of emergency for 10 days after big floods swept through four sub-districts on Siberut Island.
"We have seen that the areas have been badly devastated by the floods, the worst ever in the islands district. Therefore, we declare the district in the status of emergency for 10 days starting yesterday. The flood water had not receded as rivers are still overflowing their banks with rains continuing upstream," District Head of Mentawai Islands Yudas Sabaggalet said.
Heavy rain that occurred since Wednesday (April 3) has made rivers near the areas to overflow on Saturday morning and inundating residential areas in the region.
(A059/F001)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
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