Floods And Landslides In Jayapura, Six People Died, 500 People Refuge

Floods in Jayapura/BNPB DOK

JAKARTA - Floods hit a number of districts or sub-districts in Jayapura City, Papua, Thursday, January 6 at around 22.00 WIT. In addition to flooding, heavy rain also triggers landslides.

The Jayapura City Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) noted that the wet hydrometeorological disaster resulted in the death of six people. Six victims who died have been evacuated by the Papua Police Rapid Response Team (TRC).

"Of the total fatalities, three people have been identified, while the rest are still being identified," said Plt. Head of BNPB Disaster Information and Communication Center Abdul Muhari in his statement, Friday, January 7.

It was recorded that as many as 500 people fled to the homes of their closest relatives. Until now, BPBD is still evacuating residents who are trapped in the flood using 3 rubber boats and 1 multipurpose truck to evacuate residents affected by landslides.

"The local Public Works Department has also deployed heavy equipment to support the acceleration of handling areas affected by landslides," said Abdul Muhari.

Recent observations, light rain is still flushing the Abepura District, Jayapura City. BPBD reported that the flood was gradually receding but the electricity was still out. The affected districts included North Jayapura, South Jayapura, Abepura, Heram and Muara Tami Districts. BNPB continues to monitor and coordinate with local BPBDs regarding emergency response activities.

Meanwhile, information on material losses stated that a number of public facilities were flooded, such as the Aryoko Hospital, the Governor's Office, other public facilities and public houses. Reports until this morning, electricity in the affected area is still out.

It is known, Jayapura City is an area with a potential flood hazard in the moderate to high category. A total of 3 sub-districts are in this potential, including areas currently affected by flooding.