OKU In South Sumatra Set Flood And Landslide Disaster Alert Status

Illustration. Farmers see firsthand the fields planted in the morning flooded. (Between-Rahmad)

JAKARTA - The Regency Government (Pemkab) Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU) in South Sumatra (Sumsel) has declared an emergency status for floods and landslides to face the rainy season this year.

Head of the OKU Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Januar Efendi said the status determination of following up on natural disasters in the local area that have occurred since the last few weeks.

"Like a tornado on Thursday (28/11) hit 67 houses in two villages and suffered minor damage," he said in Baturaja, OKU, Tuesday, December 3, which was confiscated by Antara.

Therefore, he said, the determination of this status needs to be carried out in the face of the peak of the rainy season which is predicted to take place at the end of 2024 as an effort to prevent as early as possible against potential natural disasters that can occur at any time.

He explained that the status determination was based on the OKU Regent's Decree Number 300.2.3/897/KPTS/XLIV.1/2024 concerning the determination of the status of the emergency alert for floods and landslides.

In determining this status, his party increases the capacity of disaster management personnel so that floods and landslides can be overcome as early as possible in order to anticipate casualties.

A total of 940 personnel who are members of the disaster management task force are alerted to follow up on extreme weather that has the potential to cause the impact of floods and landslides.

In addition to personnel, his party prepared disaster management equipment, including six rubber boats, two fiber boats, 10 rescue cars, 125 trail motors, 20 floating suction machines, six evacuation tents, and 60 family tents.

BPBD OKU has mapped 11 sub-districts in the area prone to flooding and landslides during the rainy season, including Muara Jaya, Ulu Ogan, Pengandonan, Semidang Aji, Sosoh Buay Rayap, East Baturaja, West Baturaja, Review, Lengkiti, Kedaton Peninjauan Raya, and Lubuk Raja.

"We also urge the public, especially those living around the Ogan Watershed (DAS) and hilly areas to increase their vigilance to face potential natural disasters so as not to cause casualties," he said.