Vice chairman of Indonesian Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) Sultan B Najamudin asked the government to accelerate the restoration of road transport access in order to take care of the victims of cold lava floods and landslides in several regencies in West Sumatera.
He revealed that six regencies and cities in West Sumatra are experiencing paralysis of road transport access.
The central and regional governments as well as the National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure (BNPB), he said, must turn all their attention seriously to the victims in the affected areas.
“On behalf of the institution, we express our deep sorrow to the victims of the cold lava floods and landslides in West Sumatra. We hope the government will be more responsive in handling the situation there intensively,” said Sultan through his official statement on Tuesday (14/5).
According to him, natural disasters that occured in West Sumatera are quite complex and rare. Because there were several types of natural disasters that occurred at once, namely cold lava floods and landslides.
“We hope that all relevant parties will continue to work hard to restore road access that connects all affected areas. So that the government can immediately distribute food and clothing aid as well as medicines for the survivors,” said the former Bengkulu Deputy Governor.
Furthermore, Sultan hopes that all victims who are still buried and missing will be found soon.
He also said that the government and BNPB also need to anticipate subsequent landslides and floods that could potentially occur again.
According to a report by BNPB, the death toll from cold lava floods and landslides that hit six regencies and cities in West Sumatra continues to rise. Until now, 50 people have died.
