T

he number of victims washed away by the Friday morning flash flood at Situ Gintung lake keeps creeping up. More than 80 people have been found dead, another 100 people are still missing.

The flood, caused by the collapse of an almost 70-year-old sluice gate and its reinforcing wall, destroyed about 600 nearby houses. Uncontrolled housing development in the area had shrunk the lake, from 31 hectares in 1930 to less than 21 hectares today, and put the residents of the non-settlement zoning area into danger, about which they were largely ignorant.

Massive disaster relief teams entered the area after the collapse giving hope to the survivors but nothing could comfort those who had lost their loved ones.

Reports show danger signs were apparent the day before the disaster but emergency action was not taken. Questions have been raised on what could have been done and what should be done next.