Medan Pencarian Jadi Kendala BPBD Cari Lansia Hilang Terseret Arus Di Mojo Kediri

The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) is still searching for elderly residents who are suspected of being swept away by water currents during heavy rains in Mojo District, Kediri Regency, East Java (East Java).

Head of BPBD Kediri Regency, Stevanus Djoko Sukrisno, revealed that his party was assisted by the Kediri Regency Satpol PP, Banser, SAR Team, and other volunteers in the search.

"This is still a search and has not been found. There are about 30 volunteers who are looking for victims," he said in Kediri, Sunday, May 18, as reported by Antara.

He said officers could only search by crossing the river to find Mrs. Tekat, a resident of Blimbing Village, Mojo District, Kediri Regency, who was suspected of being swept away by water currents.

Apart from not finding the elderly victim, he said, there were dozens of goats that were kept by the victim who were also suspected of being swept away and and have not yet been found.

Djoko said that one of the factors that made it difficult was the terrain. The distance between the victim's house and the river flowing in his village is not too far, it is about 1-2 meters, so the search is carried out around the river.

Meanwhile, in the river area, he said, there were many large stones, so it was not possible to search by boat.

"So, we usually hit the river. For search, it is in accordance with the SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) for seven days," he said.

His party revealed that heavy rains accompanied by flash floods occurred in the early hours of Saturday, May 17, after heavy rains hit a number of points in Mojo District, Kediri Regency.

In Petungroto Village, Mojo District, 17 houses were damaged. Of that number, three of them were heavily damaged, seven were moderately damaged, and the rest were slightly damaged.

Meanwhile, in Pamongan Village, there was one house that was heavily damaged and in Blimbing Village there were two houses damaged, namely one heavily damaged and the other moderately damaged.

For now, he said, in addition to looking for victims of the elderly and livestock who were also swept away, officers also worked together to help clean the houses of residents affected by the disaster.

"Today we are still in the process of cleaning the house. For tomorrow, we plan with the Kediri Regency Housing and Settlement Service (Disperkim) to collect data, for the type of assistance," he said.

For residents whose houses are affected by the disaster, he said, the BPBD of Kediri Regency has also provided logistical assistance, including for food and other daily needs.

BPBD Kediri Regency has also prepared evacuation locations, but they choose to stay at relatives' home for a while.