Aceh Rings Alarm as Floods, Landslides Hit Central Region - Tempo.co English

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf urged residents and key stakeholders to remain vigilant of potential disasters during heavy rains, as floods and landslides have begun to strike the central region of Aceh again. 

"As it's now the rainy season. The hydrometeorological disasters a year ago have left the land in the affected areas unstable," said government spokesperson Nurlis Effendi in Banda Aceh on Tuesday.

Based on reports received, floods and landslides have resurfaced in Aceh in the past two days, particularly in the highlands of Gayo Lues Regency, Central Aceh, and Southeast Aceh.

Nurlis said the Aceh Disaster Management Agency (BPBA) reported that the first disaster occurred in Gayo Lues on Sunday afternoon, with flooding in Badak and Rigeb Villages, Dabun Gelang District. A landslide occurred in Putri Betung District, blocking off the Blangkejeren-Kutacane road.

By the evening, floods had spread to Southeast Aceh. The disaster affected 11 villages in five sub-districts. As a result, residents' homes were submerged in mud, bridges were affected, embankments collapsed, and road access and public facilities were disrupted.

Furthermore, in Central Aceh, a landslide occurred early Monday, spreading across four sub-districts. As a result, one person was killed, while 13 people were injured and receiving treatment at Datu Beru Regional Hospital.

Nurlis explained that based on forecasts from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the Aceh region is on alert status with the potential for moderate to heavy rainfall starting this September.

This prompted the Aceh Governor to mandate early mitigation and preparedness measures. The government is also seeking support from all relevant parties, including the police, military, universities, and others, to strengthen the mitigation efforts. 

"Collaboration is crucial to strengthen preparedness, accelerate responses on the ground, and ensure public safety is a shared priority," said Nurlis Effendi.