SAR Team Expands Search Area For Victims Of Bandang Humbahas Floods To Lake Toba Waters

The joint SAR team expanded the search area operation in Lake Toba waters to find 10 victims who were declared missing after being flooded with Humbahas/DOK BETWEEN BPBD

MEDAN - Head of Medan City Basarnas Budiono said the joint SAR team expanded the search area operation in Lake Toba waters to search for 10 victims who were declared missing after the flash floods and landslides in Humbang Husundutan Regency, North Sumatra.

"The fifth day after the flash floods and landslides hit residential areas in Simangulampe Village, Bakti Raja District, in Humbahas since Friday (5/12), the joint SAR team has resumed their search by expanding the reach of sweeping in Lake Toba waters," Budiono said as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, December 6.

Budiono explained that the operation to expand the search area was an effort to find the victims who are currently still missing.

"We are also expanding in the land sector by deploying 14 heavy equipment in the search for the 10 victims who are still missing," he said.

He explained that the search operation on the fifth day involved 538 people from various agencies and organizations involved. This team will later be divided into three sectors focused on six search locations.

"Sector I conducted a search on the surface of the water using two units of RIB from Basarnas and Polairud, as well as a three-unit LCR boat. Then use aqua eye to detect the presence of victims in the water. If the weather and conditions in the field are supportive, this afternoon it is planned to be dived by the Basarnas Special Group (BSG) team and personnel from Polairud," he said.

The SRU II team is divided into three points that will conduct a search using heavy excavator equipment and accompanied by a ground team in the road boundary area to the edge of the lake.

"Then, SRU III is also three points for searching using heavy excavator equipment and accompanied by a ground scouting team in the road boundary area towards the hill," he said.

It was informed that 12 people were reported missing due to the flash flood that hit Simangulampe Village, Baktiraja District, Humbahas Regency, and the joint team had found two victims dead.

On the other hand, Acting Governor of North Sumatra Hassanudin asked the local Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) to carry out disaster mitigation after flash floods and landslides that hit residential areas in Simangulampe Village, Humbang Hasundutan Regency (Humbahas).

"I ask BPBD to always be ready with the various possibilities that occur, it aims to minimize unwanted things," said Hassanudin.

According to him, BPBD must increase disaster mitigation in this area, because currently North Sumatra is entering the rainy season.

"Currently, the Lake Toba area is entering the rainy season. For this reason, public preparedness is highly expected. This effort aims to minimize the impact of victims if a disaster occurs," said Hassanudin.