NTB-NTT Hit By A Disaster, Jokowi Orders Doni Monardo To Minister Of Social Affairs Risma To Carried Out Quickly

DOCK. Regional Secretariat / President Joko Widodo

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) ordered all his staff to move quickly in dealing with floods and landslides in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

Jokowi asked for the handling of health assistance until infrastructure improvements were carried out immediately.

This order, he said, had been conveyed to the Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Doni Monardo, Basarnas Head Marsda TNI Henri Alfiandi, Social Minister Tri Risma Harini, and other ranks including TNI Commander Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto and National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo.

"I ask that disaster management be carried out quickly and well, such as health care assistance, logistical availability, and basic needs of refugees as well as infrastructure improvements", said Jokowi in a video statement uploaded to the Presidential Secretariat YouTube account, Monday, April 5.

Jokowi feels deep sorrow, especially for the victims who died. He also advised the people in the two provinces to stay alert and follow the directions of the officers around them.

"I also appeal to the public to follow the direction of officers and always increase awareness of floods and landslides due to extreme rainfall", said Jokowi.

"Always pay attention to early warnings from The Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) and regional officials", he added.

Previously reported, the rain that fell for approximately 9 hours on Saturday, April 3, in all areas of Bima Regency, NTB, caused dams in 4 sub-districts to overflow, inundating rice fields and residents' housing. Floods in Bima killed 2 people.

In an official statement from BNPB, Sunday, April 4, the areas affected by the Bima flood were Madapangga District, Bolo District, Woha District, and Monta District, West Nusa Tenggara. The flood reportedly started at 3:00 p.m., Saturday 3 April, local time. The height of the springs at the time of the incident was reported to be around 50-200 centimeters.

Meanwhile, in East Nusa Tenggara, flash floods and landslides occurred in East Flores Regency on Sunday, April 4 in the morning.