Joint Team Conducts Landslide Evacuation Of Batang Boru Hydropower Plant, 5 Found 8 Still Missing

North Sumatra Police Chief Inspector General Pol RZ Panca Putra Simanjuntak observes the landslide location in Batang Toru, Marancar Village, South Tapanuli Regency (Antara)

JAKARTA - North Sumatra Police Chief Inspector General RZ Panca Putra Simanjuntak asked the joint team to do everything in its best, handling landslide victims in Batang Toru, Marancar Village, South Tapanuli Regency, appropriately and working together in carrying out SAR.

"The joint team consisting of the South Tapanuli Police, the National Army (TNI), Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Battalion C Brimob North Sumatra Police, and the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) to handle the natural disaster of the Batang Toru landslide properly," said the North Sumatra Police Chief, during the coordination meeting for the handling of the Batang Toru landslide, at the South Tapanuli Integrated Natural Disaster Command Post (Tapsel), as reported by Antara, Monday, 3 May.

Head of North Sumatra Regional Police Inspector General RZ Panca Putra Simanjuntak together with North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi and Pangdam I/Bukit Barisan Maj. Gen. Hasanuddin departed from the North Sumatra Regional Police Headquarters by helicopter, to the Batang Toru hydropower plant, the location of the landslide.

The arrival of the North Sumatra Police Chief, Governor of North Sumatra, Pangdam I/BB accompanied by the Head of North Sumatra Regional BIN (National Intelligence Agency), Danrem 023/KS, and the North Sumatra Regional Police Mobile Brigade Dansat who were greeted directly by the Head of the South Tapanuli Police, Dandim 012/TS, Danyonif 123/Rajawali, Regent of South Tapanuli, Head of North Sumatra Basarnas, Head North Sumatra BPBD, and PT NSHE Manager.

Before inspecting the landslide location, the North Sumatra Regional Police group patrolled the air first to see the current situation after the landslide accident occurred. Then a landslide management coordination meeting was held at the South Tapanuli Integrated Natural Disaster Post in Marancar District.

Previously, a landslide disaster occurred on Thursday, April 29 at around 06.30 WIB, because the area was hit by heavy rain.

Some of the landslide material fell to the bottom of the Batang Toru River, which caused 13 victims to be buried by landslides in the Batang Toru hydropower plant, Marancar Village, South Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra Province.

The joint team from the National Army (TNI), National Police (Polri), Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), community, Batang Toru hydropower company, and other related agencies moved quickly to evacuate the victims until now 5 victims have been found and evacuated.