JAKARTA - The Ministry of Public Works (PU) said there were obstacles in mobilizing heavy equipment to support the evacuation process, search for victims and clean up the debris of flash floods that hit Siau Island, Siau Tagulandang Biaro Islands Regency (Sitaro), North Sulawesi Province (Sulut).
This was conveyed by the Head of the Sulawesi I Manado River Basin Agency (BWS), Water Resources Directorate General of the Ministry of PU Sugeng Harianto. Sugeng said, his party would add heavy equipment to help handle flash floods in the area.
"We plan to send additional heavy equipment soon to help handle the situation on site. Currently, there are also heavy equipment in the field," said Sugeng, quoted from a written statement, Tuesday, January 6.
"The geographical conditions of the islands are a challenge in mobilizing equipment," he continued.
Currently, the relevant technical offices have deployed personnel and activated two heavy equipment units in the field to support the evacuation process, search for victims, and clean up flood debris.
In addition, three units of excavators from Manado City have also been prepared to be immediately mobilized to the affected location of the Siau Tagulandang Biaro Islands Regency.
Sugeng added that cross-sector coordination was still being carried out to ensure accelerated handling. All movements of heavy equipment and personnel were coordinated with the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Basarnas and Forkopimda elements to accelerate the opening of access to affected points while supporting the evacuation and search for victims.
In addition to supporting emergency handling, Sugeng continued, his party also carried out an initial identification of damage to infrastructure due to flash floods, including river networks, roads and other supporting infrastructure.
"The results of the identification will be the basis for the preparation of further handling steps to accelerate the recovery of the affected area conditions and community activities," he added.
To note, flash floods hit Siau Island, Siau Tagulandang Biaro Islands Regency (Sitaro), North Sulawesi Province (Sulut), on Monday morning, January 5, 2026.
The number of people who died due to flash floods increased to 11 people.
Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, said that of the total number of deaths, six bodies were successfully identified, while the other five bodies were still in the data collection process.
"The Kepulauan Sitaro Regency BPBD has facilitated the funeral for the deceased victims," said Abdul Muhari in a written statement, Tuesday, January 6.
In addition to the deceased, as of the evening there were still five people who were declared missing and in the process of being searched. However, the search and rescue (search and rescue/SAR) operation was temporarily stopped due to bad weather in the form of heavy rain that could potentially trigger flooding and landslides following the disaster site.
"SAR operations will resume tomorrow if weather conditions permit," he said.
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