Floods And Landslides Of Manado City, One Residents Died

Floods and landslides hit Manado City, North Sulawesi Province, on Friday, January 27 morning (BNPB)

JAKARTA - The wet hydrometeorological disaster, floods and landslides, hit Manado City, North Sulawesi Province, on Friday, January 27 morning. Heavy rains that occurred in the city area caused the Tondano River to overflow

"This incident caused the death of one citizen and dozens of families affected by the incident," Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari in his statement received by VOI, Friday afternoon.

Floods at several points were unavoidable so dozens of houses were submerged with water levels of 80 to 300 cm. Flood-inundated areas occurred in five sub-districts, namely Paal Dua, Tuminting, Sario, Wenang and Singkil sub-districts.

Meanwhile, landslides hit six sub-districts. Landslides were identified in Paal Dua, Singkil, Tikala, Bunaken, Wanea and Tuminting sub-districts.

Abdul said, until Friday afternoon, officers from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and other relevant agencies were still making emergency response efforts, such as evacuation and evaluation of needs.

Even though BPBD has recorded the affected families, there is no information regarding the evacuation posts being activated.

A total of 33 housing units were affected by landslides. However, BPBD has not detailed the level of damage impact. Temporary data on the needs of the affected residents are needed, including mattresses, blankets, clothes, family kits and ready-to-eat food.

Based on the analysis of the potential for ground movement for January 2023 from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, the Manado City area has the potential for medium to high ground movement in several sub-districts. Paal Dua, Singkul, Wanea and Tumiting sub-districts, which currently have landslides, are in the middle to high category, while Bunaken is in the medium to high.

In the inaRISK study, Manado City was identified as having a moderate to high landslide hazard potential in 7 sub-districts. Regions currently affected by landslides are included with this high potential.

Meanwhile, the weather forecast in Manado City on Friday at 14.00 local time still has the potential for heavy rain, and during the day and night there is still the opportunity for light rain. Tomorrow January 28, this area still has the opportunity for light rain to thunderstorms.

Facing the dangers of wet hydrometeorology, local governments and residents are expected to remain vigilant and alert considering that in general we are still in the peak period of the rainy season. Anticipate the dangers of aftershocks that can be exacerbated by the intensity of rain that may continue.

"Do independent evacuation safely or with the help of local officers. In addition, residents who live near cliffs or hills should take the initiative to carry out independent evacuations if heavy rains in their area are long duration," added Abdul.