Tragic Flash Floods and Landslides in South Sumatra Claim 16 Lives, Seven Still Missing
South Sumatra, The Gulf Observer: In a devastating turn of events, the Pesisir Selatan District Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) has officially confirmed that flash floods and landslides in the region have resulted in the loss of 16 lives, with an additional seven residents reported as missing.
Chief of BPBD for Pesisir Selatan District, Doni Yusrizal, provided an update on the grim situation, stating that the number of casualties has risen from 10 to 16 as of Saturday. The affected areas include Sutera, Koto XI Tarusan, IV Jurai, and Lengayang Sub-districts, where search and rescue teams are tirelessly working to locate the missing individuals.
The inclement weather, persisting until the latest reports, has hindered access to some areas, making them impassable. Yusrizal highlighted ongoing efforts to reach isolated residents using boats as they strive to provide assistance and support.
The impact of the disaster has forced the evacuation of at least 46 thousand residents across various sub-districts in Pesisir Selatan. Koto XI Tarusan Sub-district has borne the brunt of the calamity, suffering the most severe consequences.
The BPBD records indicate damage to 14 houses in Koto XI Tarusan Sub-district due to landslides, with broader repercussions seen in 20,004 housing units and eight bridges throughout the district.
Compounding the crisis, the natural disaster has disrupted access to essential services, including clean water, electricity, and the Internet. In response, BPBD is collaborating with the local Social Affairs Office to address the logistical needs of evacuees.
To streamline assistance efforts, a centralized disaster management base has been established by the district authority. From this base, all logistics assistance delivery will be coordinated to efficiently address the pressing needs of the affected population.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event, efforts continue to mitigate the impact, locate missing individuals, and provide essential support to those affected by the flash floods and landslides in South Sumatra.
