Helicopter Lands in Latimojong Bringing Aid and Evacuating Residents

Several failed attempts, the helicopter was finally able to land and bring aid to Latimojong, where 3,000 residents were isolated.

DOKUMENTASI PEMPROV SULSEL

A helicopter belonging to Hasanuddin Air Base brought aid to Latimojong District, Luwu, South Sulawesi, Sunday (5/5/2024).

MAKASSAR, KOMPAS - After several failed attempts to land due to bad weather, a helicopter carrying aid has finally arrived in Latimojong District, Luwu, South Sulawesi on Sunday (5/5/2024). However, the land route is still not yet open and difficult to access.

Previously, throughout Saturday, helicopters were unable to land due to bad weather. From Sunday morning until midday today, three times the helicopters went back and forth to Latimojong but still couldn't land.

Landing can only be done when a resident sends a message via the South Sulawesi Provincial Government's Instagram Public Relations account and informs them that the weather is ready.

"Praise be to God, we were able to land after three unsuccessful attempts earlier. We are still trying to use land routes to reach the area because there are 3,000 residents there who need help," said the Acting Governor of South Sulawesi, Bahtiar Baharuddin, on Sunday afternoon.

DOKUMENTASI PEMPROV SULSEL

Acting Governor of South Sulawesi Bahtiar Baharuddin met flash flood refugees in Siwa, Wajo, South Sulawesi, Sunday (5/5/2024).

Also read: Distribution of Aid to Isolated Areas in Luwu Still Constraints

According to Bahtiar, the South Sulawesi provincial government, assisted by the military and the police, continues to attempt to open up access so that more aid can be distributed. However, small heavy equipment, fuel mobilization, and workers are needed to repair roads and bridges or create emergency bridges.

"With this condition, it will take at least a week to be able to open access. Therefore, while continuously trying to open land routes, we hope that aid can still be distributed using helicopters," he said.

In Latimojong, 3,000 isolated residents are spread across 12 villages. The most needed assistance is food supplies, such as rice, canned fish, and medication. Until now, residents have met their needs by shopping in Belopa, the capital of Luwu. However, with difficult access, this cannot be done.

A number of team members are trying to bring aid using two-wheeled motor vehicles. The target is the nearest location to Latimojong that can be reached. Then, together with the residents, the aid can be relayed by walking.

DOKUMENTASI PEMPROV SULSEL

Condition of residents' houses in Siwa, Wajo, South Sulawesi, Sunday (5/5/2024), after being hit by flash floods on Friday (3/5/2024).

Also read: 14 people died in Luwu, 3,000 Latimojong residents isolated

In addition to bringing aid, helicopters also evacuated a number of residents to Belopa. Some of the evacuated residents are those who had previously lost their homes due to a fire.

"I went to Belopa to take care of various certificates and evacuate to my relatives' house. My house was destroyed by fire and then hit by landslides again. I only had the clothes on my body left," said Ramlah Baddu, a junior high school teacher in Latimojong.

In Siwa, Wajo, aid is also being constantly distributed to evacuation posts. In this area, flash floods submerged houses, offices, and farmland owned by locals. As most of the area is covered in mud, residents cannot access clean water. The flood in this area has impacted 12,000 people.

Flash floods and landslides occurred in six regencies in South Sulawesi, namely Luwu, Sidrap, Wajo, Pinrang, Enrekang, and Sinjai on Friday (3/5/2024). Previously, on Sunday (14/4/2024), a landslide occurred in Tana Toraja and claimed the lives of 20 residents. On Friday (26/4/2024), a landslide occurred in North Toraja and caused three fatalities.

KOMPAS/RENY SRI AYU ARMAN

One section of the road collapsed on the Enrekang-Toraja Axis in South Sulawesi on Sunday (28/4/2024). Flash floods and landslides that hit Enrekang on Saturday (27/4/2024) night left mud and a section of the road collapsed.

This incident was followed by flash floods and landslides in Enrekang on Saturday (27/4/2024) night. The flash floods and landslides in Enrekang caused several roads to collapse. When access was not yet able to be opened, landslides occurred again on Friday (3/5/2024).

Also read: Floods and landslides hit a number of districts in South Sulawesi