Emergency situation report ESR (1).

• The 32 foot-high dam of Situ Gintung, which was holding back around 70 million cubic feet of water at the Pesanggrahan river, was built up to a century ago, under the Dutch colonial rule.
• Little maintenance had been carried out on the dam since then, and many dams in Indonesia are in similar state.
• The collapse of the Situ Gintung was caused by the inability to accommodate more water on account of heavy rains which poured down in some districts in Banten and West Java provinces all night long on Thursday, 26th March 2009.
• The dam was first overflown and then burst out, because the foundation was not made of concrete.
• Cracks had already been discovered at the bottom of the embankment last February 2008. The administration had since prepared evacuation routes in case of flooding and also held a flood evacuation simulation exercise last year.
• It was also stated that the incidents of Situ Gintung was probably due to lack of routine inspections. Therefore, the Governor of Jakarta called for immediate inspections for all 26 dams in the capital.

• The landslide occurred up on the highlands, bringing down debris such as mud and uprooted trees as the flood washes up the affected areas.
• The water level reached up to 1 meter high.
• Heavy downpour had caused mudslides across several areas in the province, including East Agam, Sawalunto, Salimpauang and Pasir Laweh.
• Logs and large rocks that were swept away by the flash floods contributed to the damage inflicted on many buildings and public facilities.
• The estimated economic lost affected by the disaster was Rp 75 billion (US$ 6.5 million)
• In 1997, the similar incident occurred in Tanah Datar, and had caused 21 persons dead.

• Death 1
• Inpatient 2
• Outpatient 23
• IDP 751
• Damages
• Houses 22
• Bridge 2
• Mosque 4
• Farming land 270 hectares
• Farming pools 71
• Irrigation construction 165 meters

Communication and Electricity Powers are still working, while local transportation was disrupted.

• Rapid Health Assessment Team formed and deployed
• Injured and ill cases referred to District Hospitals.
• Establish Health Post and evacuated victims.
• Provided 100 million rupiahs (US$ 10,000) for operational funds.
• Provided 30 boxes of High energy biscuits, 10 units of emergency health kits.
• MOH conducted clean water service activities.
• WHO and MOH up-dating the situation and filling the gaps in collaboration with National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB)
• WHO is in close communication with MOH in monitoring the situation through Crisis Center as well as District and Provincial Health Office.

• Governor of West Sumatra, Head of BPBD, and Regent of Tanah Datar provided cooking oil, sardines, instant noodles, biscuits and sugar.
• Provincial government of West Sumatra provided clothes and medical supplies
• Local Agency for Disaster Management (BPBD) in close coordination with Social Ministry and West Sumatra Provincial Health Office are monitoring the situation.
• National Army, BPBD, and local residents evacuated victims and setting-up IDP camps in Paser Laweh.

So far the government has not officially requested any international aid. The local authorities, with support from central government and ministries, are trying their best to manage the situation so far. Agencies and Donors are welcome to provide support through on-going programmes.

Dr. Rustam S. Pakaya, MPH
Head of Department
Crisis Center (PPK â€" MoH)
Email: ppkdepkes@yahoo.com