Heavy Equipment Is Ready To Be Sent To Flood Areas In NTT, But Transport Ships Are Inadequate

JAKARTA - Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Doni Monardo, confirmed that his party has alerted a number of heavy equipment to evacuate victims of the flash flood disaster in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

According to Doni Monardo, the PUPR Ministry has prepared 8 excavator units and 6 dumptruck units to be sent to Lembata and Adonara Island, one of the locations of the disaster that was severely affected. Unfortunately, there is no ship that can carry this heavy equipment.

"We are aware that the difficulties in the field are excavators. However, until now we have not received adequate marine transportation equipment," said Doni Monardo in a virtual coordination meeting, Monday, April 5.

Doni said that the government is 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. Also, there may be support from several groups that have sea transportation to help ease the team's duties in the field," said Doni.

The process of searching for and evacuating victims of the flash flood disaster in East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara is still being carried out. However, there is one obstacle that complicates the evacuation process.

Previously, the Regent of East Flores, Anton Hajon, complained about the absence of heavy equipment shipments from the central government to facilitate the removal of materials that were dragged into the floods, so that a number of missing residents could be found immediately.

"After we conducted the search yesterday, the priority now is that the opening of heavy equipment is a necessity to open access to the disaster site," Anton said when contacted.

Anton said, it was difficult for the victims and refugees to receive assistance because the six bridges connecting Adonara Island, which is the location of the disaster, were currently cut off.

This condition was exacerbated by landslides which also blocked access and the main road to the disaster site. On the other hand, sea road access is still not usable due to high waves and extreme weather.

"We are a bit hampered (distributing aid) because access to sea and land roads is cut off. The sea wave road is still high, then the land road is cut off because the bridge collapses and landslides block the road," he said.