Tarakan, N Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Landslides caused by unremitting heavy rains hit four locations in Tarakan and claimed 14 lives in the wee hours of Monday.
The four affected locations were Juata Permai, Karang Anyar Pantai, Matahari Street, and Gunung Selatan, Head of the Civil Service Police and Fire Service Unit of Tarakan Hanip Manisan stated here on Monday.
In Juata Permai, seven people were killed, including a family of three comprising the father, mother, and a son. On Matahari Street and Gunung Selatan, respectively three people lost their lives, while in Karang Anyar Pantai, one resident was killed.
The landslides that occurred in hilly areas injured several people and damaged numerous houses. The injured victims were rushed to the Tarakan Regional Public Hospital.
Parts of Tarakan have received downpour from Sunday evening until Monday.
In the meantime, Dr Indra Permanajati of General Soedirman University (Unsoed) highlighted the significance of preparing mitigatory measures and raising awareness of hydrometeorological disasters during the transition from dry to rainy season. "People must be aware of hydrometeorological disasters during the transitional season, especially those living in disaster-prone locations," Permanajati noted here in Banyumas District, Central Java, recently.
The coordinator of geological disasters at the Mitigation Center of Jenderal Soedirman University explained that hydrometeorological disasters are those influenced by water-related fluctuations, including rainfall.
Permanajati attributes seasonal changes behind the occurrence of disasters, including floods, landslides, and strong winds.
Hence, he highlighted the need for the community to step up awareness in the event of moderate- to high-intensity rainfall for a long duration of time.
Related news: Govt bolsters surveillance system in wake of pandemic, flooding
Related news: Raising awareness of hydrometeorological disasters crucial: expert
