Flash floods hit Rua Village, Ternate Island Subdistrict, Ternate City on Tuesday (25/08/2024) at 03:20 WIT. Before the flash flood occurred, the area was hit by heavy rain with a long duration.
The flash flood brought mud, sand, and rocks from Mount Gamalama to residential areas. Even so, this flood immediately receded because there was only one overflow at 03:20 WIT. Due to this incident, the Ternate City Government issued a Disaster Emergency Response status for the next 14 days considering the magnitude of the impact.
Launching Antara News Agency, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) said that the Joint SAR Team with 400 personnel continues to be deployed to search for residents who are still missing. The search will continue for 7×24 hours, at least until Saturday (31/8/2024).
Causes of the Ternate Flash Flood
Head of BNPB’s Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre, Abdul Muhari, explained that the cause of the flash flood in Ternate was due to high rain intensity in Rua Village, which is located on the slopes of Gamalama Volcano. Conditions such as the stability of the stope (a tunnel containing ore that is being mined) to blockages in the upstream river are thought to be the cause of flash floods.
Launching Halmahera Post, the same thing was also said by Abdul Kadir Dedi Arif as Chairman of the Indonesian Geologists Association (IAGI) North Maluku.
‘The flood was caused by several factors, including narrowing and sedimentation in the river, as well as volcanic material from the eruption of Mount Gamalama Tua,’ Abdul Kadir explained.
‘Erosion and landslides at the top of the mountain accumulate and are slowly carried down by the flow of water from the previous rain. In addition, the narrowing of material distribution space due to sedimentation in small rivers also causes flooding to get worse,’ he added.
Read also: Flash Flood Hits West Sumatera, Dompet Dhuafa and OK OCE Humanity Distribute Aid
Impact of Ternate Flash Flood
Until this article was released, the BNPB Pusdalops data stated that the Ternate flash flood had claimed 18 lives. In addition, 8 people were injured and 185 people were displaced at SMK Negeri 4 Ternate.
The flash floods carried mud, sand and rocks from Mount Gamalama, causing heavy damage to 25 houses and 1 musala, and severing several metres of connecting roads.
Dompet Dhuafa’s Response
Dompet Dhuafa through the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) responded quickly to the Ternate flash flood disaster. Dompet Dhuafa helped evacuate and search for missing people after the disaster in the Rua Village area, Ternate Island District, Ternate City.
Now the evacuation points are spread across 7 houses, 1 company, and 2 schools, namely at SMKN 4 Ternate City and SD Negeri 66 Ternate City. DMC Dompet Dhuafa also opened a Volunteer Post located on Jalan Pertamina, Kastelah Village, Ternate Island, Ternate City. In addition, the team also opened a Warm Post in Kastela Village.
In the future, Dompet Dhuafa DMC Team will open a Public Kitchen and intensify disaster response and mitigation training for local communities and people.
Read also: Dompet Dhuafa Deploys Response Team for Swift Handling of Flash Floods in Bandung
Emergency Needs of Survivors
Basarnas Ternate’s Head of Operations and Search and Rescue, Bram Madya Termara, said that the evacuation process of flood victims was quite hampered due to the large amount of mud, rocks, and large wooden materials that hit residential areas.
On the other hand, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) predicts that high-intensity rain is still possible in Ternate City and surrounding areas in the next few days. So, residents are asked to continue to be vigilant with the potential for subsequent flash floods.
Currently, the government and local disaster management organisations, including DMC Dompet Dhuafa, continue to record the number of affected residents and seek emergency assistance for survivors. The emergency needs that are urgently needed at this time include:
- Evacuation tents
- Light tower
- Blankets
- Mattresses
- Tarpaulin
- Folding mattress
- Food
Friends, let’s help our brothers and sisters affected by the flash flood disaster to get back on their feet. Dompet Dhuafa is also committed to continuing to help survivors until they can return to having a life like before the disaster occurred. Channel your kindness to the Ternate flash flood survivors by clicking the link below.