After Serasan Island, Bintan Becomes A Region In Riau Islands That Sets Disaster Emergency Response

The condition of the Wacopek connecting road with Tanjungpinang City, Tuesday (7/3). BETWEEN/HO-Diskominfo Bintan

BINTAN - The tidal flood, landslides and strong winds occurred in a number of areas in Bintan Regency last weekend. The impact is still felt today.

Bintan Regent Roby Kurniawan said severe damage to public facilities and residents' houses due to disasters in his area made the disaster status in Bintan rise from alert to emergency response.

"Based on the results of a coordination meeting on disaster management with the Regional Leadership Communication Forum, it was agreed that the status of the disaster in Bintan would be from alert to emergency response starting March 3-9, 2023," said Roby in Bintan, Riau Islands (Kepri), Tuesday, March 7, as reported by Antara.

Roby conveyed that the determination of the disaster emergency status was solely to accelerate the recovery of the community's economic conditions and public services.

According to him, more than 2,000 people were victims of the bad weather. Hundreds of houses were badly damaged by tidal floods, landslides and strong winds.

The bad weather also caused damage to electronic goods belonging to residents and other valuables. Hundreds of disaster victims were forced to flee in the homes of neighbors and relatives because their houses were badly damaged.

"Floods and landslides have damaged many public facilities such as roads and bridges," he said.

Roby revealed that floods, landslides and strong winds in Bintan for three days had a significant impact on the economic sector and social activities.

Not to mention, he said, a number of main roads such as the West Cross Road and the Wacopek Cross that connect the eastern region of Bintan and Tanjungpinang City were damaged.

The access road connecting between regions was cut off due to floods and landslides. "It must be closed so as not to cause casualties. This is also for the repair process," he added.

Roby explained, so far the Bintan Regency Government has carried out disaster management in its area by setting up public kitchens, evacuation tents, and impact data collection.