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Jokowi orders swift response to Nusa Tenggara disasters
Tropical cyclone Seroja has caused dozens of deaths and displaced hundreds more in East and West Nusa Tenggara.
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Piles of debris lie in Adonara, East Flores, on April 4, after flash floods and landslides swept through eastern Indonesia and neighboring Timor Leste. (AFP/Joy Christian)
P
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered that the government respond swiftly to the effects of flash floods and landslides that swept through East and West Nusa Tenggara on Sunday, killing at least 70 and displacing hundreds.
The incident, which also affected the neighboring country of Timor Leste, adds to a long list of natural disasters that have beset Indonesia this year. In January, floods overwhelmed parts of South Kalimantan and displaced tens of thousands.
The President said he had ordered national disaster mitigation agencies, relevant Cabinet members and national security forces to evacuate affected residents and contain the effects of the disasters with haste.
“I ask that disaster management efforts, including the distribution of health assistance, logistical support and basic needs for the evacuees, as well as infrastructure improvements, be carried out quickly and well,” Jokowi said in a video message that aired on Monday.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported on Monday that the disaster had affected 2,600 residents in one city and 10 regencies of East Nusa Tenggara, as well as 28,000 residents in three regencies of West Nusa Tenggara.
As of Monday afternoon, 68 casualties had been recorded in the East Flores, Lembata, Ende and Alor regencies of East Nusa Tenggara, and two casualties had been recorded in the Bima, Dompu and North Lombok regencies of West Nusa Tenggara. These numbers may rise as authorities verify incoming reports.
Affected residents have fled to village halls and schools.
