Bandang Flood SAR Operation Humbahas Sasar Waters, Coasts And Roads Towards Hulu Lake Toba

SAR officers used heavy equipment to get rid of rock material due to flash floods and landslides in Simangulampe Village, Humbang Hasundutan, North Sumatra, Monday, December 4, 2023. (ANTARA PHOTO-Fransico Carolio)

NORTH SUMATRA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) conveyed that the search and rescue operation or SAR for flash floods and landslides in Humbang Hasundutan Regency, North Sumatra (North Sumatra), was divided into three sweeping sectors.

"So on this fifth day, we prioritize that we still carry out strategies, one of which is that the SAR team has divided three sectors," said BNPB's First Expert Public Relations Officer, Danung Arifin at the 'BNPB Disaster Teropong' event which was followed online in Jakarta, Wednesday, December 6, which was confiscated by Antara.

He revealed that the first sector was in the waters of Lake Toba, considering that the victim was first found in the waters of Lake Toba.

"Most likely this victim was carried away so that he finally entered Lake Toba," he said.

The second sector, he continued, was focused on the coastal side of Lake Toba.

Furthermore, the third sector, namely on the side of the road to the upstream which is suspected to be the arrival of flash flood materials such as large rocks, boulders, and large tree branches.

He conveyed that as of Tuesday, December 6, 2023, as many as 10 residents were still reported missing, two people were found dead, and 50 families fled to safer areas.

Meanwhile, the Head of BNPB Lt. Gen. Suharyanto said that the SAR operation must be communicated further with the victim's family if it is more than the rule of the deadline for seven days.

He said if there were parties who asked for help for further searches after seven days, then this must be met with other applicable provisions.

"The search for gold time assistance is 7x24 hours. If seven days have not been found, then the discussion between the Regent and the family will be discussed. If the family has not received it, then it is sought," he said in a coordination meeting for handling flash floods and landslides, Humbang Hasundutan, on Monday, December 4.