8 Subdistricts In Bireuen Aceh Flood Soak, 4,665 Residents Sustain

Officers helped evacuate residents during the flood in Aceh (Photo: BNPB Public Relations)

JAKARTA - Floods in Bireuen Regency, Aceh, have displaced thousands of residents. The flood that occurred after the rain flushed since Saturday, January 21, submerged eight sub-districts in Bireuen. The eight sub-districts are Peudada District, Jeunib District, Sp Mamplam District, Peulimbang District, Peusangan Selatan District, Juang City District, Samalanga District and Pandrah District. National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Abdul Muhari noted, as many as 4,364 families or 9,386 residents living in eight sub-districts were affected by the flood. 1,443 families or 4,665 residents of whom fled to safer places. "The flood also submerged 4,364 units of residents' houses and eight hectares of rice fields with water levels varying from 25 to 100 centimeters," said Acting Head of BNPB Disaster Data and Communication Center Abdul Muhari in his statement, Sunday, January 22. Abdul Muhari said the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Bireuen Regency and a joint team immediately carried out handling it to the affected locations to conduct rapid assessments, evacuate residents and provide logistical assistance. Meanwhile, there is still an early warning of the potential for rain with moderate to high intensity accompanied by strong winds today and Monday, January 23 for parts of Aceh Province. Therefore, Abdul Muhari appealed to residents of the community and local governments, especially those in flood-prone areas, to always increase vigilance and preparedness to deal with floods. "The way that can be done by routinely cleaning waterways so as not to be clogged with garbage, preparing evacuation routes and disaster prepared teams at the village or village level, besides that, to always obtain actual weather information from authorized institutions," he explained. "If there is continuous rain for more than an hour and a limited visibility of less than 100 meters, then the community around the river basin and cliff slopes should evacuate independently to reduce the risk of being affected by floods or landslides," he concluded.