Sniffer Dogs Deployed To Search For Missing The East Nusa Tenggara Flood Victims

Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Doni Monardo (Photo: BNPB Public Relations)

JAKARTA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and related elements are still evacuating victims of floods in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

There are additional search methods used, namely by deploying SAR dogs or sniffer dogs. Head of Center for Disaster Data, Information and Communication (Kapusdatinkom Disaster) BNPB Raditya Jati said, sniffer dogs were lowered from the support of the Police and Jakarta Rescue.

"Jakarta Rescue sent seven SAR dogs and the National Police sent six K9 dogs", Raditya said in a statement, Friday, April 9.

The seven Jakarta Rescue sniffer dogs deployed by the BNPB are from several units, such as Jakarta, West Java, East Jakarta, and Central Java. 1 SAR dog support is in Adonara, while 4 SAR dogs in Lembata. Jakarta Rescue alerted 2 others in Kupang.

"The plan is that 1 SAR dog will be moved to Kupang Regency tomorrow on Saturday, April 10", said Raditya.

Then, the police's K9 dog consists of 3 Belgian Malinois, 2 German Shepherds, and 1 Pointer. The six dogs helped the search for missing victims in Adonara a total of 3 heads and 3 in Lembata.

"Tomorrow, the Police Headquarters will add 10 dogs to help with the search", he said.

In a coordination meeting on emergency management of tropical cyclone Seroja, the BNPB Chief Doni Monardo said to maximize SAR dogs in all three regions. Related to the addition of SAR dogs, Doni directed the force in the Alor region.

Doni said that SAR dog support is very helpful for officers in the search for victims as well as in directing heavy equipment at the site.

"SAR dog is effective to target buried bodies", said Doni

The search and evacuation in the field were conducted from various elements such as National Search and Relief Agency (Basarnas), the National Army (TNI), the National Police (Polri), joint SAR, volunteers, and local residents. Heavy terrain and field conditions and lack of heavy equipment hamper operations in the field.

Each post continues to make emergency handling efforts such as the search and evacuation of victims, the service of displaced citizens, the distribution of aid, data collection, and the opening of isolated access.

Based on data owned by the BNPB as of Thursday, April 8 at 20.00 p.m. local time, the death toll from the floods in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) currently reaches 163 people. Meanwhile, 45 people are still missing.