SUMATRA FLOODS: 64,021 EVACUEES RETURN HOME AS CONDITIONS IMPROVE

JAKARTA, Jan 15 (Bernama) -- Some 64,021 evacuees from floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra provinces have returned to their homes and original communities since Monday, as conditions on the ground continue to improve.

The number of people still at evacuation centres stands at 131,521.

According to National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Head, Abdul Muhari, the improvement was driven by the swift construction of temporary shelters, the reopening of access roads, and the restoration of more residential areas.

“BNPB, in coordination with local governments, is continuing to accelerate the construction of temporary housing, with the primary target of completion before the month of Ramadan.

“A total of 27,560 temporary housing units were proposed, with 4,304 units currently under construction and 262 units have been completed and ready for occupancy, while for hangar-type temporary shelters, a total of 8,440 units were proposed, with 648 units currently under construction,” he said in a statement.

Abdul Muhari noted that as of Thursday morning, the death toll has reached 1,190 following a discovery by a joint search team of a deceased victim in Pidie Jaya Regency in Aceh. The number of missing persons stands at 141.

He said BNPB has also implemented Weather Modification Operations (OMC) in the three provinces to control rainfall intensity and reduce the risk of secondary disasters in vulnerable areas. As of Wednesday, accumulated cloud seeding in the three provinces has reached 1,201 sorties, he added.

-- BERNAMA