TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) announced that 256 people were evacuated from the flash flood-stricken area in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The region of East Flores had been devastated by intensifying rainfall caused by the two tropical cyclone seeds forming nearby.

As of April 5, the agency said the hundreds of local residents were evacuated to two village halls in Nelemawangi and Nelelamadike.

“The East Flores BPBD announced that sea crossing endangers sailing activities due to rainfall, wind, and high tides. On another note the evacuation of victims who are buried under sludge are still hampered by the heavy equipment,” BNPB spokesperson Raditya Jati wrote in a statement on Monday, April 5.

He further explained that the Flores Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) recorded 24 people who are still missing and 44 deaths caused by the natural disaster in NTT. 17 houses were reportedly swept by the major flash flood, 60 buried under land, and 5 bridges were completely wiped out.

Nine villages in the East Nusa Tenggara were devastated by the intensifying weather which comprises Nelemadike, Nelemawangi (Ile Boleng district), Waiburak and Waiwerang sub-district (East Adonara), Oyang Barang and Pandai (Wotan Ulu Mado), and Duwanur, Waiwadan and Daniboa (West Adonara).

Read: Flood Claims 2 Lives, Affects 27,808 People in Bima's 29 Villages

EGI ADYATAMA