910 Flood-affected Souls In Makassar

JAKARTA - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Makassar City, South Sulawesi, reported temporary data that 910 people were affected by flooding in two sub-districts, respectively in Manggala District and Biringkanaya District.

"Temporary data in the two sub-districts are 910 people with 229 families (KK) and 18 evacuation points," said Makassar BPBD Chief Executive, Achmad Hendra Hakamuddin, quoted by ANtara, Sunday.

The flood occurred after heavy rain accompanied by strong winds from 17-18 November 2022. Another trigger factor was the water sent by the Jene'lata River from Gowa Regency which borders Makassar City flowing into the Sabbeng River to overflow into residential areas in two local sub-districts.

For flood-affected areas, in Manggala District, he said, there were three villages, namely in Manggala, Antang and Tamangapa Villages. The number is 569 people with 145 families and 10 evacuation points, the majority of which use mosques in the local area.

The water level in Perumnas Antang Blok 10, Manggala Village is still 100 centimeters high, and in the village of Romang Tanggaya, Tamangapa Village, it is 160 centimeters high. However, in Antang Village, the water began to recede for up to 15 centimeters.

Furthermore, Biringkanaya Subdistrict was affected in three urban villages, namely Katimbang, Paccerakang and Laikang Villages. A total of 341 people with 84 families were affected. The number of evacuation points is eight. The water level began to recede below 20 centimeters.

The Makassar BPBD team has been alerted at the flood site, there are 60 personnel, consisting of 35 evacuation teams, 15 assessment teams, and 10 medical teams. Equipment is prepared, seven rubber boats, ambulances, field cars and open tub cars with three units each and one multipurpose truck.

Separately, the Head of the Makassar City PKK Mobilization Team, Indira Yusuf Ismail, visited residents affected by flooding due to extreme weather at the Laikang Village Post, Biringkanaya District.

The displaced residents welcomed his arrival accompanied by Biringkanaya Sub-district Head Benyamin Budianto Turupadang and Laikang Village Head Sitti Fatimah. He also encouraged the victims and prayed that the water would recede soon and residents could return to their homes.

"Be patient, ladies and gentlemen. Hopefully this disaster will end soon. The water can recede quickly and we can return home, carry out activities as usual. For the time being here first and please let's work together to maintain cleanliness," said Indira, wife of the Mayor of Makassar Moh Ramdhan Pomanto, praying.

He asked the Biringkanaya sub-district head to pay attention to flood-prone locations and coordinate with related SKPD for handling its citizens, including providing the assistance needed by the victims.

During his visit, Indira Yusuf Ismail distributed a number of aid packages to residents for use during the evacuation while waiting for the water to recede.