Wednesday, December 26, 2007

At least 88 people killed in Indonesian landslides



While many of us were celebrating Christmas here in Indonesia, heavy rains on Christmas day were starting to trigger landslides in several areas; Tawangmangu areas of Central Java, in Karanganyar district, and further south in Wonogin. Initial reports indicate approximately 88 people killed.

We are working closely with the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI)who have been out in the affected areas since word got out of the tragic disaster. Here is a report which I received at 2 am this morning.

Floods affected 5 districts on Central Java province during the rain with medium and high intensity that continuously happened in these three days. At the same time on 25th of December some areas were flooded. From the north of Java Islands; Grobogan districts; down to Surakarta; Sukoharjo and Wonogiri. Also in the middle of Central Java flooded Purwokerto district.

Based on the report from PMI Grobogan district branch, areas that flooded are :Getas Mayakan sub-district, Kalangan sub-district, city of Purwodadi district and Penawangan sub-district. The flood happened on 25th of December at 23.00 pm local time. Rain poured down continuously and caused severe flooding. Based on the report at noon, there were 3 houses damaged (rapid assessment still on going). Some peoples were force to move in to a sport centre and schools because of the high level water.

In Surakarta city, the flood occurred on 25th of December at 01.00 am local time. The areas that affected are at river sides of Bengawan Solo and Sewu village. High continuously rain on a day caused overwhelm of the river. The highest water level reached to 3 meters that inundated houses. Activity was focused on evacuated peoples to safer places and assessment.

Sukoharjo district flooded on 25th December at 01.00 am local time. Continuously rain on a day caused the flood. There are 6 sub districts affected: Nguter, Sukoharjo, Selokarto, Grogol, Mojolaban and Sukoharjo. Numbers of casualties is 2 dead.

In Wonogiri the flood happened at 01.00 am local time on 25th of December. One day of heavy rain caused the flood. Landslides occurred and 13 people reported dead. (further assessment still on going).

In Purwokerto, Banyumas, strong winds caused by the rain affected 5 villages: Titar, Windinegara, Wayan, Wayan, Jambu and Purwojati village.

Flood have caused disruption to all community activities because their houses were flooded and access roads were inundated.

PMI branches on the field
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- coordination with local government and all actors on the field
- 30 Satgana team in every branch conduct immediate response
- evacuation on the field with Satlak (operating unit on district level) with first aid response
- doing rapid assessment on the areas that affected
- operating field kitchen on the field
- distributed food items
- satgana team from PMI Bantul (neighbourhood Branch) with three 4 wheel drive cars equipped with 2 rubber boats and 12 personnel
- 24 hours monitoring the situation on branch post command
- shared the information to PMI Central Java Chapter

PMI Central Java Chapter
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- monitoring situation on affected branches
- giving technical assistance to affected branch
- dispatched immediately needs such as 50 family tents and 5 rolls tarpaulins to PMI Surakarta branch and operational funds to support the operation in every branches
- communication and coordination with post command in NHQ
- shared information with PMI NHQ for further assistance


PMI NHQ
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- monitoring and coordination the situation to affected chapter
- giving technical assistance to chapter
- up dating the information from all resources through government institution and media
- shared information to all stakeholders
- seeking donors support to strengthened the operation

DMIS will be updated accordingly based on further report.
Coordinating other actors conduct evacuation process, Search And Rescue, assessment and field kitchen services. Preparing temporary shelters to IDPs, secure the areas to giving comfortable to peoples that affected. Cleaning debris to open road access.

Meteorological and Geophysics Agency (BMG) send alert on 25 – 27th December, high intensity rain will be a hazard in all parts in Indonesia. And for strong winds forecast on 28th – 31st December will hit in South of Sumatera, West part of West Java, Central part of Central Java, some parts of East Java, South Kalimantan in East parts, South of Sulawesi, Bali and East Nusa Tenggara. Speed of the winds predict reached until 30 knot.

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