VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has sought easier public access to weather forecast and warnings of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) to increase awareness on potential disasters.

At an online limited meeting on natural disaster in West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara from the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Tuesday, Jokowi remarked that all regional leaders and the public should be able to access and monitor the weather forecast issued by the BMKG.

"They should be able to receive the information. Thus, people could increase awareness to address the potential risk of strong winds, flooding, flash floods, and landslide," he remarked.

The head of state also urged the agency to intensify warnings on extreme weather triggered by the tropical cyclone Seroja.

Jokowi ordered the public works and public housing minister to expedite renovation of damaged infrastructure after the cyclone hit West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara.

"Restore the electricity line, telecommunication, internet line, and also the distribution of logistics and fuel oil, so that humanitarian aid can be distributed soon to victims of the disaster," Jokowi stressed.

President Jokowi has appealed to the public to take precautionary measures against further risk of extreme weather in several parts of the country.

Tropical cyclone Seroja hit the Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara on Monday (April 5) after midnight, triggering flash floods and landslides that killed at least 128.

The tropical cyclone has affected the provincial capital of Kupang and the districts of East Flore, Malaka, Lembata, Ngada, West Sumba, East Sumba, Rote Ndao, and Alor.

On Saturday (April 3), the BMKG had issued a warning to the people of East Nusa Tenggara of coastal flooding forecast to occur on April 1-3, 2021, in parts of the province.

The tidal phenomenon is projected to occur in parts of the province, including on the north coast of Flores Island and Alor Island, the north or south coast of Timor Island and Rote Island. (Antaranews)

Jakarta. The death toll in flash floods that struck several districts of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province has climbed to 128, while 72 others remain missing and 8,424 residents were displaced.

However, the government did not declare a national disaster status, as the regional administrations were not affected despite major flooding, Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Doni Monardo remarked in a press conference here on Monday.

A tropical cyclone, triggering flash floods, strong winds, and landslides, affected Kupang City, East Flores, Malaka, Lembata, Ngada, West Sumba, East Sumba, Rote Ndao, and Alor.

"None of the local administrations were paralyzed. The local governments manage to handle the evacuees. We do not need to propose a national disaster status," he remarked.

Moreover, 1,083 families comprising 2,683 people were also affected by the flash floods.

The agency has deployed helicopters to support the evacuation process and relief aid as well as the distribution of other logistics.

Of the total evacuees, 7,212 people are the residents of East Sumba, 958 reside in Lembata, 672 are the locals of Rote Ndao, 284 are the residents of West Sumba, and 256 are from East Flores.

Of the 128 deaths, 67 were reported in Lembata, 49 in East Flores, and 12 in Alor.

The natural disasters had inflicted damage to almost two thousand homes and several public facilities and infrastructure, such as bridges.

On Monday, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) instructed his staff to act promptly in handling the victims and impacts of flash floods and landslides that struck NTT on Sunday.

"I have ordered the head of BNPB (National Disaster Mitigation Agency), head of Basarnas (National Search and Rescue Agency), minister of social affairs, minister of health, and minister of PUPR (Public Works and Public Housing) as well as commander of the TNI (Indonesian Defense Forces) and chief of the National Police to immediately evacuate disaster victims and handle the impact of disasters," the head of state noted in a video message here on Monday. (Antaranews)

Jakarta. The death toll from flash floods and landslides amid extreme weather triggered by Tropical Cyclone Seroja in the Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara increased to 128 as of late Monday.

"In total, 128 people lost their lives during the extreme weather in several parts (of the province)," Head of the Center for Disaster Data, Information, and Communication at the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Raditya Jati stated in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The deaths comprised 67 in Lembata, 49 in East Flores, and 12 in Alor. Meanwhile, 72 people are still missing, comprising 28 in Alo, 23 in East Flores, and 21 in Lembata.

According to data from the BNPB Operation Control Center, a total of 2,019 families, or 8,424 people, took refuge and 1,083 families, or 2,683 people, were affected by the disaster as of 23:00 Western Indonesia Time (WIB) on Monday.  

"Most people that fled their homes are found in East Sumba reaching 7,212 (1,803 families), 958 in Lembata, 672 people (153 families) in Rote Ndao, 284 people (63 families) in West Sumba, and 256 in East Flores," Jati remarked.

The extreme weather sparked by Tropical Cyclone Seroja could potentially affect East Nusa Tenggara in the next few days. The tropical cyclone has affected the provincial capital of Kupang and the districts of East Flore, Malaka, Lembata, Ngada, West Sumba, East Sumba, Rote Ndao, and Alor.

The tropical cyclone affected houses and public facilities. No less than 119 homes incurred serious damage, 118 homes sustained moderate damage, and 34 homes suffered slight damage, while serious damage was caused to 14 public facilities and light damage to one public facility.

The tropical cyclone's seeds were detected since April 2 and triggered heavy rainfall and high waves. Effects of the cyclone were felt in most areas of East Nusa Tenggara. (Antaranews)

Jakarta. Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) in collaboration with PT. Verona Pictures officially launched the soap opera or TV show adaptation of 'Grains of Sand in the Sea' on Monday (6/4/2021).

The radio play "Grains of Sand in the Sea" was famous in the 1972s. At that time, television was hard to access, people at that time enjoyed drama series through radio.

At that time, Grains of Sand in the Sea tells a story about a doctor and nurse who struggled in the interior of Java. The radio play was directed by Jhon Simamora.

The play was continued with a total of 5,700 episodes and was broadcasted every day for 15 years starting February 22, 1972, by RRI Stations throughout Indonesia.

President Director of the Public Broadcasting Institute (LPP) Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) Mohammad Rohanudin expressed his pride in the launching of this soap opera.

"I am proud, in 1972 a radio drama was born and was idolized all over Indonesia," he said at the Yusuf Ronodipuro RRI Auditorium, Tuesday (6/4/2021).

The Managing Director of RRI hopes that the soap opera will receive the same spirit as the radio drama of RRI back then.

"We hope this soap opera will gain the same spirit as the radio drama RRI," he said.

A Modernized Adaptation

Managing Director of PT. Verona Indah Pictiures, Titin Suryani hopes that the Grains of Sand in the Sea can not only treat the veteran listeners, but also reach a much wider audience.

"The program was very popular and phenomenal in its era when it was aired since 1972 for approximately 20 years," she said when signing a cooperation agreement for serial production of "Grains of Sand in the Sea."

The series will be packaged into a more modern Indonesian drama series and will certainly intrigue viewers.

The series is predicted to become the best-selling show in 2021. It will be released on the WeTV channel platform.

The modern adaptation of Grains of Sand in the Sea tells the story of a doctor who is married and a student who does an internship (KKN) in rural villages in Java.

A beautiful doctor named Arini, who will be played by Tyas Mirasih, is married to David (Andrew Andika).

At that time, they were traveling to a place for vacation as well as on duty. 

However, on their way to the destination, Arini's ship was hit by a strong storm and eventually crashed. Arini got stranded on the coast inhabited by local residents.

Meanwhile, Arini is found by a handsome and kind young man named Radit (Bastian Steel). The young man was surprised to see a beautiful woman stranded on the shoreline.

Then, he ran and tried to save Arini by taking her to a nearby clinic for first aid.

After knowing each other for a long time, it turns out that Radit has a crush on Arini. However, Arini chooses to be ignorant and ignore Radit's attention to him, because she considers Radit as a little brother, and Arini tells him to find someone else who can fill the emptiness of his heart.

Since Arini disappeared, her husband decided to remarry, and Arini considers returning to Radit.

Then how is the continuation of Arini's relationship with Radit? Watch the first episode on April 8, 2021 on WeTV. (VOI)