Kendari BPBD Assists in Cleaning Mud Residue from Residents' Homes Post-Flood

Of the 18 flood-affected locations in Kendari, seven sites still require intensive handling to date. Kendari (ANTARA) - The Kendari City Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra), has mobilised personnel to assist in cleaning residents’ homes still inundated with mud following the floods that struck the area. Head of Kendari City BPBD, Cornelius Padang, stated when met in Kendari on Thursday that cleaning the residual mud is a swift measure after the Kendari City Government (Pemkot) declared a disaster emergency status. “If the community still needs help cleaning their homes, we immediately step in,” said Cornelius Padang. He explained that although the weather has improved over the last two days, the main challenge on the ground is the thick mud deposits accompanying the water pools that are still submerging residents’ homes. BPBD itself has deployed 59 personnel on patrol to help clean the remaining mud pools post-flood. “We do not stay at the post. We are ‘mobile’ to the community; we tick off the areas that are already clean, then move to locations that still need handling,” he said. Cornelius Padang stated that of the 18 flood-affected locations in Kendari, only seven sites now require intensive handling. Areas still submerged in water and mud include the banks of the Wanggu River, behind Hermina Hospital, several RTs in Kambu Subdistrict, the Anduonohu area, and housing near the Lepo-lepo village office. “Some pools are up to knee height, others up to ankle height. We ensure personnel remain on standby until the conditions are completely clear,” explained Cornelius Padang. He noted that the thick mud poses a challenge for the officers, so BPBD is coordinating with the fire department for cleaning in affected residents’ homes. “The issue is that the water that entered was not clear water, but mixed with mud. So the cleaning requires time and effort,” he revealed. He added that BPBD has established a Main Command Post centred in the Wanggu River area. Although a physical post is available, field officers are more focused on a mobile system, moving directly to disaster points. In addition, to accelerate the recovery process, approximately 1,000 combined personnel have been deployed to the field. This force consists of various elements, from BPBD, Social Services, Satpol PP, Fire Department, Transportation Services, to Health Services and hospital parties. “Full support also comes from vertical agencies with personnel details as follows: Kendari Police Resort, 35 personnel; Kodim, 32 personnel; Naval Base, 15 personnel; up to Air Base, 15 personnel,” he added.