Natuna Landslides, Electricity Still Out And Telecommunications Still Improved

SAR officers are still evacuating in landslides on Sarena Island, Natuna, Riau Islands (BNPB)

After the landslide disaster on Sarasan Island, Natuna, which killed 10 people, the electricity has not turned on and the telecommunications network is still being repaired.

The Riau Islands Provincial Government stated that the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology is moving quickly to improve the telecommunications network on Serasan Island, Natuna Regency, which was disrupted by landslides.

Head of the Riau Islands Communication and Information Agency Hasan, said that the two towers built by the Telecommunication and Information Accessibility Agency or Bakti in Serasan had started functioning, but were not yet normal.

"The Ministry of Communication and Information continues to improve the network at the signal receiving station from the satellite. Today we can communicate and use the internet, but it is still limited," he said, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, March 7.

The other three telecommunications networks are managed by Telkomsel. Telkomsel is also still repairing damaged networks, especially in the coastal areas of East Serasan.

"We communicate intensively with the Ministry of Communication and Information and Telkomsel so that the telecommunications network returns to normal," he said.

As for the electricity network, he said, it is not yet fully active. The electricity system that is active from Tanjung Setelung to Air Raya, while from Genting to Serasan Timur is still out.

PLN officers who have been prepared in Ranai, Natuna and Serasan have not been allowed to the scene, due to bad weather conditions.

"There are still obstacles to improving the lighting or electricity network. PLN officers have not been able to go to the scene because there are concerns that further landslides will occur," he said.

Hasan admitted to accompanying the Governor of Riau Islands Ansar Ahmad and the Head of BNPB Lt. Gen. Suharyanto who departed this afternoon from Halim Perdana Kusuma Airport to Natuna.

Logistics assistance and a number of heavy equipment were also distributed to Serasan to make it easier for officers to get victims buried by landslides.

In addition, heavy equipment can be used to repair public facilities, such as roads covered in thick mud.

"All parties move quickly to deal with landslides in Serasan," he said.