Landslides Hit Raja Ampat, BNPB Calls Due To Extreme Rain

Illustration of landslides. (Between)

WEST PAPUA DAYA - Landslides hit Raja Ampat Regency, Southwest Papua Province, precisely at the Waisai Kodim Housing Complex, South Waigeo District, Waisal Village.

Head of the Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Abdul Muhari said the landslide was triggered by extreme rain that flushed the area in a fairly long duration on Monday, June 2 in the morning.

"The rain causes the soil to be saturated with water and unable to withstand the load on the steep slopes," Abdul said in his statement in Jakarta, Thursday, June 5, which was confiscated by Antara.

He explained that the landslide had a large enough dimension with a width of 15 meters, a height of 30 meters, and a length of 39 meters. As a result of this incident, about 15 families were directly affected.

BNPB confirmed that a total of 15 housing units were damaged with varying severity.

Although there were no reports of casualties, he ensured that residents affected by landslides still received attention and attention from the local government.

The team of officers has conducted a rapid assessment and assessment at the scene. Intensive coordination is also carried out with relevant agencies to ensure protection and handling for the affected residents.

Abdul ensured that currently the process of repairing the affected houses is still ongoing. The Raja Ampat BPBD together with the regional government's technical services are trying to ensure that the basic needs of the affected residents are still met during the recovery period.

BNPB appealed to the public to increase awareness of potential disasters due to extreme weather, such as heavy rains, strong winds, and landslides.

Especially for the people of the South Waigeo District, he said, they were also asked to immediately find a safe place if further signs of danger emerged as the rain continued to pour and always followed directions from BPBD officers and local regional officials.