BPBD Recorded 1,674 Residents And 369 Houses In Kupang Affected By The Flood

Illustration of residents affected by the flood. (Between)

JAKARTA - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) recorded 1,674 residents affected by the floods that hit Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, on Sunday, December 25.

"Based on data collection carried out by BPBD, there were 1,674 people affected by natural disasters in Kupang Regency," said Head of the Disaster Risk Reduction Forum (FPRB) Kupang Regency, Elfrid V S Strange when contacted, Monday, December 26, quoted from Antara.

Elfrid said this was related to the impact of natural disasters caused by the overflow of a number of rivers in Kupang Regency after heavy rains flushed the area for two days.

According to Elfrid V Sstrange, 1,674 residents affected by the flood natural disaster were spread across Oebelo Village, Central Kupang District, Benu Village and Takari Village, Takari District and Pariti Village, Sulamu District.

He explained that the houses that were flooded in the incident were due to the overflowing of a number of rivers in the district bordering the Oecusse Timor Leste area, reaching 369 housing units.

He added that in the natural disaster there were seven houses that were declared missing after being swept away by the flood in the incident.

"The natural disaster that occurred in Kupang Regency resulted in 25 families having to evacuate after seven of their houses were swept away by the flood," said Elfrid V Sstrange.

He explained that the flood disaster in addition to submerging hundreds of houses of residents also damaged four bridge units connecting a number of areas in the area.

The four bridges that were heavily damaged were the Kuda-Lelogama bridge which is a strategic bridge to the Timau mountain area which is the location for the construction of the Lapan Observatory, a bridge that connects the Oben-Bone road, Nakamese District and the Siumolo bridge, Fatuleu Tengah District.

"The four bridges were heavily damaged so that public transportation could no longer be crossed because it was very dangerous for the safety of road users," said Elfrid V Sstrange.

According to him, the Kupang Regency Government has distributed emergency relief assistance for disaster-affected residents in two locations with severe conditions, namely in Paritit, Sulamu and Takari Districts, Takari District.

Elfrid V Sstrange also said that in helping disaster victims, a public kitchen in two locations had been built so that food needs for disaster victims would still be met properly.