Governor: Beware, disasters begin to strike Aceh again
The Governor has asked all parties to be alert to the potential for disasters, as the rainy season has arrived. Last year’s hydrometeorological disasters have left the soil in affected areas unstable and unconsolidated.
Banda Aceh (ANTARA) - Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf has reminded communities and all relevant parties to be wary of potential disasters during heavy rainfall, as the central highlands of Aceh have once again been hit by floods and landslides.
“The Governor asks all parties to remain alert to the potential for disasters, as it is now the rainy season. Last year’s hydrometeorological disasters have left the soil in affected areas unstable,” said the Aceh Provincial Government spokesperson, Nurlis Effendi, in Banda Aceh on Tuesday.
Based on the reports received, he said, floods and landslides have begun to strike Aceh once more over the past two days in the highland region, namely the regencies of Gayo Lues, Central Aceh and Southeast Aceh.
According to a report by the Aceh Disaster Management Agency (BPBA), Nurlis said, the first disaster occurred in Gayo Lues on Sunday afternoon (13/9), with floods hitting the villages of Badak and Rigeb in Dabun Gelang district. Meanwhile, a landslide occurred in Putri Betung district. The Blangkejeren–Kutacane road section was impassable due to landslide debris.
Then, in Central Aceh, landslides occurred in the early hours of Monday (14/9) across four districts. As a result, 13 people were injured and one person died. All the injured victims are being treated at Datu Beru Regional General Hospital.
“It has been reported that efforts are under way to evacuate victims and clear landslide debris. In addition, monitoring of the affected areas and further data collection are also being carried out,” said Nurlis.
Therefore, he continued, the Governor of Aceh has called for early mitigation and preparedness measures. The Aceh Provincial Government, together with all relevant elements, needs to ensure readiness to face potential disasters, including coordination and rapid response in the field.
He also stressed the importance of synergy and support from all elements of the Aceh Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), including the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police (Polri), along with district and city governments, relevant agencies, and both public and private universities to strengthen this preparedness.
“Collaboration is essential to strengthen preparedness, accelerate response in the field, and ensure that public safety becomes a shared priority,” said Nurlis Effendi.