Many Are Still Missing, The Search For Flash Flood Victims In North Sumatra Has Been Extended By Three Days

The SAR team combined a search for victims in Silmagulampe Village, Humbang Husundutan Regency, North Sumatra (ANTARA/HO-Dok Basarnas Medan)

The flash floods and landslides that hit Simangulampe Village, Baktiraja, Humbang Husundutan Regency that occurred on December 1 caused 12 people to be declared missing and only found two people dead.

Based on data from the joint SAR Team 10 people who are still missing, namely Pintar Simanulang, Juni Silaban, Adriano Silaban, Lasroha Simanulang, Eva Purba, Kriston Siregar, Desman Sihombing, Op Gomgom, Br Banjar, and Br Simanjuntak.

Head of the Medan City National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) Budiono said the search for victims of flash floods and landslides that occurred there was extended for the next three days.

"Based on the evaluation of the search for seven days and a leadership meeting with the government of Humbahas Regency, Basarnas decided to continue the search for the next three days by narrowing the focus point of the search, both in water and on land," Budiono said when contacted in Medan, Saturday.

Budiono said that the extension of the search period was also based on the public's request to find the victims who were still declared missing after the flash floods and landslides.

"This extension is due to our mutual agreement to find the victims who are still missing after the floods and landslides," said Budiono.

"This natural disaster caused material losses of 14 houses to be heavily damaged, including one house of worship and one inn. In addition, one elementary school and agricultural land covering an area of approximately five hectares," he said.

Meanwhile, in the search effort, he said, the joint SAR team expanded the search area operation in Lake Toba waters which was divided into three sectors focused on a number of search locations.

"Sector I conducted a search in Lake Toba waters by diving from the Basarnas Special Group (BSG) personnel and conducting a search on the surface of the water using RIB and LCR boats, then cleaning up the garbage and pulling trees in the Lake," he said.

Then, he continued, in sector II, material cleaning was carried out inside the church and school, then the transfer of materials from the ditch in front of the hotel using the excavator, while in sector III the search was still carried out using excavators focused on collapsing houses and employees in one of the affected hotels.