Today, Government Emergency Meeting To Discuss Hydrometeorological Disasters In Sumatra

Illustration of the SAR team (ANTARA)

The Indonesian government held a limited meeting across ministries on Thursday, November 27, to discuss the acceleration of emergency handling of hydrometeorological disasters that hit a number of areas in Sumatra, including Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

Basarnas Deputy for Operations and Preparedness, Edy Prakoso, confirmed the plan for a ministerial-level meeting to be chaired by the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK), Pratikno. He said the meeting was scheduled to take place at 13.00 WIB in the BNPB Graha Pusdalops Room, East Jakarta.

"That's right, we will have a ministerial meeting to discuss disasters in several areas, especially Sumatra, with several affected governors and regents," he said, quoted by Antara.

The forum will be attended by technical ministries, Basarnas, BNPB, BMKG, TNI/Polri, as well as regional heads. This meeting was held to evaluate emergency measures while accelerating logistical support, evacuation, and initial recovery for areas affected by extreme weather over the past week.

The Basarnas report shows that flash floods and landslides have had a major impact in Central Tapanuli Regency. Disasters hit nine sub-districts, namely Madiri, Pinangsori, Lumut, Sarudik, Tukka, Pandan, Sibabangun, Tapian Nauli, and Kolang. Temporary data as of Wednesday (26/11) night recorded more than 1,902 affected families, with the largest number in Kolang District as many as 1,261 families. Basarnas also confirmed that one family consisting of four people died buried by landslides in the area.

In South Tapanuli Regency, flash floods and landslides occurred in Aek Ngadol, Hutagodang, Garoga, Batuhoring, and Hapesong Baru in Batang Toru District. Six residents died as a result of flash floods, while seven residents were affected by landslides in Parsariran and Hapesong Baru.

In Sibolga City, the worst impact occurred in South Sibolga District. Eight residents were reported dead and 21 people are still missing based on reports from the SAR post until Wednesday night.

To support the refugees, the Nias SAR Office ensures that at least three refugee locations have been operating, namely the Pandan Sports Hall in Central Tapanuli, the SMPN 5 Parombunan building in Sibolga City, as well as Bhayangkara Batang Toru Hospital and local village evacuation points in South Tapanuli.

Basarnas stated that all joint SAR elements had been deployed to speed up search and rescue, including the TNI/Polri, BPBD, Polairud, and local volunteers.