Jakarta (VNA) – The helicopter squadron carrying IndonesianPresident Joko Widodo and a government working group to visit flood-hitresidents was forced to make an emergency landing in Sukajaya district in WestJava province on January 5 due to bad weather.
Lieutenant Colonel Risd Bogor, a commander at Atang Sanjaya air base in Bogor,West Java, said 30 minutes after taking off from Atang Sanjaya, the squadron ofthree helicopters had to make an emergency landing in hilly area due to strongwinds and pouring rain.
Floods and landslides earlier this year have blocked access roads to sixvillages of Kiarasari, Kiara Pandak, Urug, Cisarua, Cileuksa and Pasir Madangin Sukajaya district, Bogor Regency, West Java. President Joko Widodo was headingto the isolated areas by helicopter.
As there is no alternative way to the flood-hit area, President Jokowi had topostpone his visit, and wait for better weather condition.
Heavy rain in Jakarta and Java island from January 4 has impacted the searchand rescue work of competent authorities./.