Flooding Hits Several Areas of Aceh

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said flooding had occurred in several areas of Aceh and North Sumatra. One of the affected areas is the city of Subulussalam in Aceh.

Berton Panjaitan, acting head of the BNPB’s Data, Information and Disaster Centre, said flooding had also occurred in Dairi, North Sumatra.

“In Subulussalam, Aceh, there has been flooding and 1,368 people have been affected. Water is still inundating residential areas today; it has been about three days and has yet to recede,” Berton said.

Flooding has also affected Southeast Aceh and Nagan Raya. The BNPB said it did not yet have detailed information on the number of residents affected.

“Flooding has also occurred in other areas, including Nagan Raya and Southeast Aceh. We have not received further information on the number of residents affected there, and the water has also yet to recede,” he said.

He said the BNPB had prepared plans to anticipate the impacts of the rainy season, which begins in November. He added that several flood-prone areas needed to prepare.

“Sumatra and Kalimantan need to prepare earlier because the rainy season is expected to peak in December and January, so preparations should begin now in these two regions,” he said.

He said preparations should include evacuation routes and resources, and that early-warning system tests should reach villages.

“Logistics need attention. Regional warehouses’ stocks should be checked again and compared with the supplies that would be needed by evacuees if flooding occurs,” he said.