TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo instructed his staffers to immediately meet the needs of victims of flash floods in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). He received a report that the distribution has so far been hampered by extreme weather.

“Fulfill the needs of the refugees immediately. I know that some aid have been sent on Sunday but due to the extreme weather, the aid has not been able to reach the location,” he said in a limited meeting on Tuesday, April 6, 2021.

The President asked the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) and the local governments to immediately list the evacuation sites to ensure that logistical assistance was distributed. “Including public kitchens to meet the basic needs of the evacuees as well as the needs for babies and children, particularly clean water,” he added.

He also ordered officers to speed up the evacuation process, provide health services at the disaster site, and repair damaged infrastructure.

“I also ask for the restoration of the electricity network, telecommunications network, internet network, logistics and fuel distribution so that the aid can be immediately distributed.”

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) was ordered to intensify the issuance of warnings of extreme weather caused by tropical cyclone seroja. “Make sure that all regional heads and the people can access and monitor weather forecasts issued by BMKG so that they can stay vigilant,” Jokowi remarked.

Flash floods, landslides, and strong winds hit 11 regencies and cities in East Nusa Tenggara last Sunday. According to BNPB data as of 9:00 p.m. yesterday, 84 people died, 15 were injured, and 71 people were missing. Hundreds of houses were also destroyed and swept away by the floods.

Read: Jokowi Expresses Condolences after Flash Floods in NTT, NTB

DEWI NURITA