Ivany Atina Arbi The Jakarta Post 29 Apr 19;
At least 29 people have died in flash floods and landslides that hit the province of Bengkulu over the weekend, while 13 remain missing, according to the latest figures.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) revealed on Monday that Central Bengkulu regency accounted for the majority of casualties, with 22 people found dead. Three more fatalities were reported in Kepahiang regency, one in Lebong regency and three in Bengkulu city.
“Thirteen individuals are still missing as of now. One of them lived in Kaur regency, two in Bengkulu city and the ten others in Central Bengkulu regency,” BNPB spokesperson Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said on Monday.
He added that the army, police and residents were working hand in hand to find the missing persons and handle the emergency. Two districts in Central Bengkulu, namely Merigi Sakti and Pagar Jati, were still isolated on Monday afternoon, as landslides blocked road access to the areas.
Roughly 12,000 residents were forced to leave their inundated houses and stay in temporary shelters. At least 106 heads of cattle, four buffalos and 101 goats died in the disaster, according to local authorities. Meanwhile, 184 houses, seven schools, roads and bridges spread across 10 municipalities were damaged. (swd)
BNPB dispenses aid worth Rp2.25 billion for flood-affected Bengkulu
Antara 29 Apr 19;
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Mitigation Board (BNPB) has offered aid reaching Rp2.25 billion for handling the impact of flooding and landslides that wrecked havoc in Bengkulu Province over the weekend.
"The ready-to-use aid will be handed out to district and city disaster mitigation agencies (BPBD) in line with the extent of damage arising from the disaster," Chief of the BNPB Data and Information Center and Public Relations Sutopo Purwo Nugroho noted in a press statement released on Monday.
The flood and landslides struck nearly all districts and municipality in Bengkulu after 48 hours of downpour over the weekend.
The torrential rains led to rivers overflowing their banks, thereby causing flooding and landslides in several areas.
The flood-affected districts comprised Central Bengkulu, North Bengkulu, Kepahiang, Rejang Lebong, Lebong, Seluma, South Bengkulu, and Kaur. The Bengkulu provincial capital was also affected by the flooding.
As of 7 p.m. local time on Sunday, the flood and landslides claimed 17 lives, inflicted serious injuries to two people and light injuries to two others, while nine were still unaccounted for.
The death toll comprised 11 from Central Bengkulu District, three from Bengkulu City, and three from Kepahiang District.
Some 13 thousand residents were affected by the flood and landslides, of which 12 thousand evacuated to higher ground.
The disasters also damaged some 184 houses, seven educational facilities, and 40 infrastructures and facilities.
EDITED BY INE
Reporter: Dewanto Samodro, Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
