Jakarta, ABIM (11/3/2013) – Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono with Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini, Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Lt. Gen. TNI Suharyanto, Director of the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Dwikorita Karnawati, and Member of Commission V DPR RI Cen Sui Lan reviewed the handling of the landslide disaster in Serasan District, Natuna Regency, Riau Islands Province, Friday (10/3/2023). The landslide disaster occurred on Monday 6 March 2023, causing damage to residents’ houses and casualties.
According to Minister Basuki, the relocation of resident settlements on land provided by the local government was a priority for the Ministry of PUPR to accomplish as soon as rehabilitation and reconstruction following the landslide disaster. Building innovative, earthquake-resistant housing using the Simple Healthy Instant House (RISHA) technology provides permanent shelter (Huntap) for landslide victims.
“Immediately prepare to transport 100 units of RISHA from the stock in Palembang as Huntap at a relocation point that is safe from the risk of landslides and the land has been prepared by the Natuna Islands Regency Government. To speed things up, the people of Serasan District must be involved,” Minister Basuki said.
Furthermore, Minister Basuki estimates that if the land is ready, then the physical development will be completed in approximately 3 months because the construction is not that difficult with the existing RISHA knock down method. The settlement relocation points will also be equipped with supporting infrastructure, including clean water, sanitation and prayer rooms for affected residents.
“With the transportation and installation of the RISHA panels, we need about 3 months, including for the provision of clean water, sanitation and environmental roads,” said Minister Basuki.
Restoration and reconstruction in disaster-affected areas of the Natuna Islands is an effort to rebuild better new settlements that are safer and more resilient to disasters, not only rebuild destroyed buildings. It is critical to transfer 100 affected residents’ houses because they are in the red zone and are highly vulnerable to landslides.
In addition, prior to the relocation program as the post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction stage, the Ministry of PUPR handled the emergency response to the landslide disaster which had entered its 4th day in Natuna by deploying heavy equipment to assist in the evacuation process, cleaning mud, supporting facilities and infrastructure for refugees, and opened the path affected by the landslide.
In accordance with Minister Basuki’s instruction, the 15–20 km section of the Serasan Island Ring Road that was damaged by the landslide must be urgently repaired. “Serasan Island Ring Road repairs are required to help in the distribution of logistical support; they are expected to be finished in 2-3 days, and after they are finished, they must be cleansed of any remaining mudslide debris. The work done includes widening, resurfacing, and fixing the geometry of the asphalt “Minister Basuki remarked.
According to preliminary reports, the Serasan District landslide disaster occurred at 7 places, causing 32 people dead, 21 people missing, 37 houses damaged, and 1,586 people of refugees.
Accompanying Minister Basuki, Director General of Housing Iwan Suprijanto, Expert Staff to the Minister of PUPR for Technology, Industry and Environment Endra S. Atmawidjaja, Head of BPJN Riau Islands Stanley and Head of BWS Sumatra IV Daniel.(ABIM)
