Hope For The Universe To Support In The East Nusa Tenggara Flash Flood Mitigation Efforts

The atmosphere of flash floods in NTT (Photo: Special)

JAKARTA - Flash floods hit 11 districts/cities in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The disaster was triggered by the tropical cyclone Seroja, which resulted in waves reaching up to six meters high. Now, flood countermeasures are carried out with great hope in the support of good weather.

This weather anomaly has been read by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) since April 2, 2021, when they saw cyclone seeds that eventually turned into tropical cyclone storms around NTT waters.

The disaster occurred on Sunday, April 4, 2021. Until last night, 84 people had died. There are 71 people still missing and are in search.

There are 10 districts and 1 city that were affected by flooding in NTT and NTB. These areas are Kupang City, East Flores Regency, Central Malacca Regency, Lembata Regency, Ngada Regency, Alor Regency, East Sumba Regency, Rote Ndao Regency, Sabu Raijua Regency, South Central Timor Regency, and Ende Regency.

"This is a huge number. Let us pray to the victims who have died so that they will have the best place in the side of Almighty God and their families will be given courage", said Doni Monardo in a virtual coordination meeting, Monday, April 5.

There are dozens of areas that are still isolated. It was recorded that 6 villages in Malacca Regency had broken bridges. Then, in Sabu Raijua 6 sub-districts are isolated because the road is blocked by fallen trees and broken bridges. Then, on the island of Adonara, East Flores Regency, there were 6 isolated villages.

Several emergency posts and public kitchens have been established in the evacuation sites. Unfortunately, the evacuation of victims and materials is still having problems. Many teams are looking for victims using manual methods.

In fact, the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) has prepared 8 excavator units and 6 dump truck units to be sent to Lembata and Adonara Island, one of the locations of the disaster that was quite badly affected. Unfortunately, no ship can carry this heavy equipment.

Doni said the government was still trying to get a means of transportation. So, the dump trucks and excavators currently on the island of Flores can be sent to that location.

"We also invite those who have transportation to be able to offer it to BNPB (National Agency for Disaster Management). There may be support from several groups that have sea transportation to help ease the team's duties in the field", said Doni.

According to BMKG forecasts, the Seroja tropical cyclone will weaken after April 6. Doni hopes that the assistance in deploying heavy equipment and helicopters can be done quickly.

"We hope that around April 7 or 8 it will start to weaken. Because natural weather cannot be resisted by humans. So, once again it really depends on the influence of the weather," he concluded.