BNPB Steps Up in Search Efforts of West Sumatra Flood and Landslide Victims

TheIndonesia.co - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has intensified search efforts for people reported missing in the recent floods and landslides in West Sumatra province.

"The search is still ongoing for victims who are still missing," BNPB Head Suharyanto said here on Monday.

He informed that the search period will last seven days. If the search team fails to find the victims during the period, the government will communicate with the victims' families.

According to him, the search will then be stopped with the approval of the families.

Currently, the BNPB and the search team are still trying to find six people who remain missing. The terrain, which has become quite rough due to the presence of landslide material, has made search efforts challenging.

However, the BNPB head assured that the joint team is continuing to do its best.

The BNPB is also planning to relocate 100 homes in South Pesisir district that have been affected by floods and landslides.

Currently, the regional government is preparing for the relocation of flood- and landslide- affected residents' houses as well as the new location for the homes.

Later, the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) or the BNPB will build the houses.

In response to hydrometeorological disasters in a number of areas in West Sumatra, the BNPB has prescribed several measures, including that regional governments quickly visit the location of each disaster with other relevant parties.

Regional governments have been advised to not hesitate in determining the emergency status of a disaster if they find themselves unable to handle it.

Furthermore, they have been asked to meet the basic needs of the community during every disaster by utilizing the unexpected expense budget and other funds that can be accounted for.