Ternate Flash Floods Killed Dozens Of People, DPR Asks Residents' Settlements To Be Relocated

DPR Doc

JAKARTA - Flash floods that hit residential areas in Rua Village, Ternate Island District, Ternate City, North Maluku, killed dozens of residents. Commission V DPR RI asked the Government to relocate residential areas from areas where floods were located.

"Our deepest condolences and concern are about natural disasters in Ternate, especially for the victims and their bereaved families," said Member of Commission V DPR RI Irine Yusiana Roba Putri, Wednesday, August 28.

As is known, flash floods and landslides hit Rua Village, Ternate, in the early hours of Sunday (25/8). As a result of the hydrometeorological disaster, as many as 18 residents were reported to have died and one person was still missing.

Irene requested that the search for victims continue to be carried out to the maximum where BNPB has deployed 10 heavy equipment or excavators to search for missing victims while cleaning up materials carried out by the flood.

"The search for victims and improvement of access need to be done quickly. Hopefully everything can be handled properly," he said.

Irene directly visited the location of the flash flood disaster in Ternate, which is her electoral district, on Tuesday (27/8) yesterday with the River Basin Center (BWS), the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) and the Regional Government to check the condition of the victim. Before going to the location, he first held a meeting with the local government to find out the victim's data and needs.

"The mayor will coordinate so that our movement is fast so that the community can be helped immediately. In principle, our common goal here is to help the community," said Irine.

Not only reviewing the location, Irine also visited the evacuation sites of residents who were victims of the flood. In addition to checking the facilities for evacuation locations and the availability of logistics and food assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos), he also talked with the victims to check what their needs were.

Irine then encouraged that the assistance for providing housing for victims whose homes were destroyed due to floods and landslides could be realized immediately by the Government.

"The current and future handling is so that the affected residents can receive housing assistance. I have discussed it with friends from PUPR and the City Government so that they can immediately handle the affected residents," explained Irine.

Furthermore, the woman who is in charge of the DPR's infrastructure commission encourages the relocation of residents' settlements to be carried out. Irine said that she had also discussed with BWS regarding the relocation of residential areas in areas that were flooded in Bandang.

"So that the area is normalized, so it is possible for residents to be relocated in a safe place. In a location near the lake, it is no longer used as a residential area so that in the future there will be no such incident again," he explained.

The Ternate City Government has set an emergency response for floods and landslides for 14 days, starting from August 25 to September 7, 2024 following this natural disaster. Rua Village, Ternate Island District itself geologically and hydrometeorology is included in a disaster-prone area because it is located in the Gamalama Volcano area.

This condition can result in stable slops or blockages in the upstream-upstream of the river which are the main causes of flash floods. Plus the intensity of rainfall for a long time where the water is not absorbed optimally so that water overflows and overflows into settlements in the area.

For this reason, Irine said that the relocation of residential areas has become a must. Not only that, Commission V of the DPR also encourages immediate improvement of river flow infrastructure.

"I have also coordinated with the Head of the Housing Center for how the process is, including the preparation of land for new houses for affected communities so that later we will submit it to the Ministry of PUPR," said Irine.

The North Maluku electoral district legislator is committed to helping provide solutions and assistance as quickly as possible to residents affected by natural disasters in Ternate. Irine said related stakeholder cooperation was needed to ensure that affected communities immediately received assistance and existing problems could be resolved.

"We will handle the impact of this disaster as well as possible. It can be seen from this aerial photo that cannot be predicted. Now what must be done is to save the residents first. The point is we are looking for a solution first," said the member of the BKSAP DPR RI.

Irine also asked the local government to ensure that the logistical needs of flood-affected residents are available at all times. Especially the needs for children, the elderly, pregnant/breastfeeding mothers, and residents who experience health vulnerabilities.

"The affected communities must be given a proper and comfortable place. Make sure their needs are met," said Irine.

Irine believes that her existence as a member of Commission V of the DPR can help residents of Rua Village who are victims of flash floods considering that Commission V is a partner of the Ministry of PUPR.

"So that as soon as possible the solution we discussed with other stakeholder friends, including PUPR, can be realized immediately. Real and concrete, not discourse," he concluded.