2 Districts In North Gorontalo Isolated Due To Landslides

Landslides In Sembihingan Village, Biau District, North Gorontalo Province, Gorontalo Province, Thursday 7 March (ANTARA)

GORONTALO - Two sub-districts in North Gorontalo, Gorontalo Province are isolated and access in the area has been completely cut off as a result of the landslide that occurred last Thursday.

The two isolated sub-districts are Biau and Tolinggula sub-districts. Access to and from the west of the district was completely cut off, because four landslide points in Lelato Village, Sumalata District have not been completely cleared of landslide material in the form of soil and rocks.

"The heavy equipment is currently working to clean up landslides. There are four landslide points that must be cleaned immediately, because vehicles from and to the area have not been able to pass," said North Gorontalo Regent Sila Botutihe as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, March 8.

He appreciated those who had helped provide support for heavy equipment to clean up landslides. "We pray today it won't rain to make it easier to clean up landslides," said Sila.

He appreciated the assistance from the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) which continues to be at the landslide location to support the acceleration of the cleaning process.

The Head of Kasia Village, Sumalata District, Andri Usu, said that until now the community had not been able to reach the Biau and Tolinggula sub-districts.

The queue of vehicles bound for Biau and Tolinggula is still happening, including vehicles across Sulawesi bound for Buol and other districts in Central Sulawesi Province.

"We hope that landslides will be cleared soon. Given that this condition is very difficult from various aspects, such as a corpse that will be brought to Biau District, it must be crossed by sea at high risk," he said.

The community, said Andri, thanked the owners of heavy equipment who continued to work on clearing landslides. "Including Mr. Dandim 1314, which continues to monitor the cleaning of landslides ranging from Kikia Village to Lelato," he said.

Landslides in Sembihingan Village, Biau District are still occurring and it is feared that it will have an impact on breaking road access across Sulawesi.