Agam, West Sumatra (ANTARA) - Indonesian Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni joined search and rescue operations in Agam District, West Sumatra, to look for residents missing after floods and landslides struck several regions across three provinces on Sumatra Island.
Speaking in Lubuk Basung Sub-district on Sunday, he said he was accompanied by Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan as well as personnel from the West Sumatra Police and the military in carrying out emergency measures.
"We have evacuated the bodies of two deceased victims in Salareh Aia, Palembayan Sub-district, Agam," Antoni said.
He emphasized that the joint disaster handling team is prioritizing the search for missing people, noting that many remain unaccounted for after flash floods struck the region on Thursday afternoon, November 27.
"One survivor currently taking refuge reported missing a sibling, a child, and a niece or nephew," he said.
Antoni added that the Ministry of Forestry has been coordinating with the military and police to accelerate emergency measures and prepare for rehabilitation efforts in affected areas.
"Our primary focus now is completing evacuation and emergency response," he said, adding that the government has deployed psychologists to help victims cope with trauma and begin their recovery process.
He said the government also plans to mobilize heavy equipment to restore road access to isolated areas affected by landslides, which will support smoother distribution of aid and logistics.
"Aid distribution has begun," he noted.
Earlier, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency reported that the widespread disasters had claimed more than three hundred lives across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra provinces as of Saturday afternoon, November 29.
BNPB Head Suharyanto stated that 47 bodies were found in Aceh, 166 in North Sumatra, and 90 in West Sumatra.
The disasters prompted the respective provincial governments to declare emergency response status from November 28 to December 11 in Aceh, November 27 to December 10 in North Sumatra, and November 25 to December 8 in West Sumatra.
