Floods Hit Sibolga, North Sumatra, TNI Deploys 555 Personnel To Evacuate Victims

Kodam I/Bukit Barisan deployed personnel in emergency handling affected by floods and landslides in Central Tapanuli Regency and Sibolga City, North Sumatra. BETWEEN ANTARA/HO-Pedam I/Bukit Barisan

Head of the Information Center (Kapuspen) TNI Major General (Mar) Freddy Ardianzah said as many as 555 TNI personnel were deployed to assist the evacuation process for flood victims in Sibolga, North Sumatra (North Sumatra).

"As a first step, the TNI, in this case Kodam I/Bukit Barisan and its ranks, has deployed a total of 555 personnel to help flood victims," Freddy told ANTARA in Jakarta, Wednesday, which was confiscated by Antara.

Freddy explained that 555 TNI personnel are currently focusing on carrying out three main tasks in the field, namely evacuating residents trapped by floods, searching for missing residents, and opening road access that is covered by landslides.

For the evacuation process, Freddy said the TNI was working with the local government and the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) to maximize efforts to rescue flood-trapped residents.

Residents who had been evacuated were taken to the TNI's health post for medical treatment. Not only the health post, but the TNI has also built a field kitchen to provide food for flood victims.

"The TNI deployed five doctors and 31 nurses," added Freddy.

Kapuspen continued that the cooperation between the TNI and related agencies was also carried out in the process of searching for residents who were lost due to flash floods.

In addition, the TNI also deployed heavy equipment vehicles from the Zeni Unit and transportation supplies to open a lane that had been covered by piles of landslides.

"The total equipment deployed includes excavators, dump trucks, ambulances, NPS trucks, boats/LCRs, field tents, velbeds (folding beds), and field kitchen utensils," he explained.

He added that until now the process of evacuating flood victims is still ongoing and TNI personnel will continue to be at the location until the post-flood situation gradually becomes conducive.