Strong Winds, Floods And Landslides In TTS NTT: Houses, Schools And Roads Are Heavily Damaged, 2 Residents Die

Search for missing victims due to the impact of extreme weather in Timor Tengah Selatan Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province/ANTARA

KUPANG - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported extreme weather that hit the South Central Timor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province. A total of six houses and schools were badly damaged and two people died.

"The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of South Central Timor Regency reported that its area was hit by strong winds, floods and landslides that occurred after long-lasting high-intensity rains. The affected area is Toineke Village in Kualin District," said Acting Head of the Data Center, Abdul Muhari BNPB Disaster Information and Communication in an electronic message received in Jakarta, Antara, Monday, July 4.

One resident disappeared due to the extreme weather that hit last Thursday, June 29 at 23:00 WITA. Furthermore, the results of the temporary data collection showed that 100 houses were affected, six houses were heavily damaged, one school unit was heavily damaged and the residents' farmland was damaged.

The height of the water discharge when there is a flood is around 150 centimeters. The affected residents chose to evacuate to the houses of their closest relatives.

A joint team consisting of BPBD, TNI-Polri, Basarnas, Local Government, Volunteers and the Community worked together to carry out emergency management in the form of data collection and monitoring.

Evacuation efforts and the search for missing victims also continue to be carried out around the river. Meanwhile, efforts to repair damaged roads and bridges after landslides are also being initiated to facilitate traffic for residents.

The results of field monitoring show that the flooding has begun to recede at several points and leaves mud.

"As a quick response, the local government has set an emergency response status for the next 14 days. This is taken to accelerate emergency response to affected residents," said Abdul.

Referring to the early warning issued by the BMKG Monday, be aware of the potential for moderate rain that can be accompanied by lightning and strong winds of short duration in the Manggarai, Ende, Alor, Southwest Sumba, West Sumba and East Sumba areas and be aware of the potential for strong winds in the western part of Flores Island, Timor Island, Rote Island, Sabu Island, and the eastern part of Sumba Island.

Therefore, BNPB urges local governments and communities to increase preparedness and vigilance against potential hydrometeorological hazards.

Communities along watersheds and areas with steep slopes should be alert and temporarily evacuate independently in case of continuous rain with high intensity and duration of more than one hour.