TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) and the joint search-and-rescue team continue the search for 20 people who are still missing in flash flood in Garut, West Java. “We expand the search to Sumedang,” BNPB’s Data, Information and Public Relation Center head Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told Tempo on Sunday, September 25, 2016.
According to Sutopo, the joint team faced difficulty to find missing victims due to the vast area affected by the flood. The SAR team continued to search for victims burried under ruins and mud. Heavy duty equipment were unable to reach many locations, forcing the team to search manually.
As of Sunday afternoon, BNPB recorded that the flash flood had left 33 dead, 20 missing, 35 injured and 6,361 homeless. Whereas 2,049 homes are damaged, include 283 homes that were swept away by flash floods, 605 heavily damaged, 200 sustained moderate damage, and 961 had minor damage.
Locals are willing to relocate from the area. The BNPB has commissioned a team to calculate losses and damages incurred from the disaster and prepare for action plan for post-flood rehabilitation and reconstruction work. The BNPB’s fast response team continues to assist Garut Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) and West Java BPBD in emergency response.
BNPB chief Willem Rampangilei has ordered the BNPB and BPBD to simultaneously evaluate the prevention and mitigation measures, emergency response, as well as prepare for the rehabilitation and reconstruction work. “[They will be done simultaneously], instead of gradually,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Public Works Ministry has procured 2,000 gabion stones to repair broken dam. It has also examined the structure of some bridges, as well as provided seven water tankers and 17 hydrants.
The Social Ministry's public kitchen continues to cook 1,750 package of instant foods daily. Whereas the army public kitchen cooks 1,000 package of instant foods every other day.
The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) has provided 6 units of water thankers, blood supply, and brought 10 doctors. Garut Education Office also tried to start school activities on Monday while facilitating trauma-healing. Disaster relief from NGOs, businesses and the society continues to come in.
AVIT HIDAYAT