Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto departed for flood-affected areas on Sumatra Island from the Indonesian Air Force Base Halim Perdanakusuma, Jakarta, at around 6 a.m. on Monday.
According to a statement received on Monday, President Prabowo took off for Raja Sisingamangaraja XII Airport in North Tapanuli, North Sumatra, as part of the government’s swift response to ensure that all disaster-handling efforts are optimal.
During the visit, the President is scheduled to directly inspect conditions on the ground, including locations that sustained damage and disruptions to essential services.
President Prabowo will also ensure that emergency measures are being implemented according to the standards of fast, accurate, and well-coordinated disaster management.
The government is also preparing recovery measures for key infrastructure, including road access, bridges, energy, telecommunications, and healthcare services.
Earlier, President Prabowo had instructed all relevant agencies to work swiftly to minimize the impact of the disaster.
The entire emergency response process is expected to become more coordinated, assuring the public of the state's presence in disaster management.
The government has also urged the public to remain alert and follow instructions from authorities on the ground amid the potential for continued extreme weather.
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported as of Sunday (Nov 30) at 6 p.m. that the death toll across three provinces affected by floods and landslides—Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra—had reached 442. Another 402 people were reported missing and 646 were injured.
Of the fatalities, 217 were recorded in North Sumatra, 129 in West Sumatra, and 96 in Aceh. Meanwhile, 209 people remain missing in North Sumatra, 118 in West Sumatra, and 75 in Aceh.
