29 Victims Of Tanah Datar Flash Flood Have Not Been Found

Post-flood conditions in Tanah Datar. As of Monday (13/5) 29 victims of flash floods in the area were each declared missing. (ANTARA/Etri Saputra)

As many as 29 victims of flash floods in Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra have not been found.

Head of the Tanah Datar Communication and Information Office, Yusrizal, said the local government continues to intensify the search for the missing victims.

"The search for victims was carried out at the point where the victim was missing and along the river," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, May 13.

He said temporary data at the main emergency response post of BPBD Tanah Datar until this morning the number of victims who died was 19 people and 29 people were still missing.

Yusrizal detailed the data collected from BPBD and the relevant Regional Apparatus Organization (OPD), flash floods caused 48 houses to be heavily damaged, 125 houses moderately damaged, 16 houses washed away, 17 houses lightly damaged, and 19 bridges damaged.

In addition, flash floods also injured 20 people, agricultural land affected by 150 hectares, 39 goats and cows washed away, 17 irrigation damaged, and 17 units of two-wheeled vehicles, 17 four-wheelers.

He appealed to the public not to easily believe information with unclear sources, and not to spread hoaxes and remain vigilant when near the location of the flash flood.

"We appeal to the public to be wise in receiving information related to victims. We also urge the public not to approach the location of the flash flood, because it can disturb officers in the field," he said.

Meanwhile, Tanah Datar Regent Eka Putra said the flash flood disaster hit several villages in the area at around 22.00 WIB. Flash floods were triggered by high rain intensity upstream of the river.

Responding to this, the Tanah Datar Regency Government has set a disaster emergency response for 14 days starting on Sunday, (12/5).

The Tanah Datar Regency Government has also set up an aid post tent around the flood point.

"We constantly urge the public to remain careful and wise in filtering information circulating on social media," he said.