The search, rescue and evacuation process for the landslides in Natuna district, Riau Islands province continues with the support of seven units of heavy equipment from the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The death toll of the landslides in Natuna district, Riau Islands province rose to 46, consisting of 24 men and 22 women, on the fifth day (March 12) of the disaster.

On March 12, the joint task force team also managed to find 10 bodies in Genting hamlet, Pangkalan village, according to the National Agency for Disaster Countermeasure (BNPB) in a written statement quoted by Indonesia Window on Monday.

The number of residents who are still declared missing remains nine, BNPB’s Acting Head of the Center for Disaster Data, Information and Communication, Abdul Muhari, noted.

Efforts to recover victims of the landslides in Natuna district was supported by seven more units of heavy equipment from the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, as well as additional personnel from the military and the police, he said.

In addition, the gradually improving weather has also become a supporting factor for search, rescue and evacuation operations, he added.

Meanwhile, the Natuna Landslide Disaster Emergency Post at the National Border Crossing Post in Serasan District reported an increase in the number of evacuees to 2,240 people.

All of the refugees are divided into six locations including 436 people in the National Border Crossing Post in Serasan district, 605 people in Payak village, 136 people in Batu Berlian village, 238 people in a senior high school building in Serasan, 432 people in Pelimpak and 393 people in Airnusa.

All of the refugees are the affected residents, and those who left their homes temporarily to avert possible aftershocks.

As an effort to reduce the impact of the landslides, BNPB supports the Natuna district administration's efforts to relocate approximately 100 families who live around the landslide-affected area in Serasan district,

High rainfalls, unstable soil conditions and hilly areas with steep slopes are among factors triggering the landslides.

Reporting by Indonesia Window