Makassar, July 15th, 2020. A flash flood struck the North Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi, on Monday night (13/7). In result, local community activities had been jeopardized. Many public facilities were damaged, including the telecommunications infrastructure. However, the flood did not significantly affect XL Axiata’s network infrastructure around the area. XL Axiata’s network services mostly continue to operate, serving the needs of customers. XL Axiata is also ready to send emergency assistance to affected communities.
XL Axiata East Region Group Head, Bambang Parikesit said, “The flood affected some of our BTS in several areas due to the power outage. This is understandable because it is very risky if electricity continues to flow when there is flooding. We have anticipated this and turned on the generator set for several BTS points that are still possible to reach and in which the devices were not submerged in water. Meanwhile, we are still waiting for further developments in locations that cannot be reached due to the flooding disaster”.
Bambang stated there were around 28 BTS XL Axiata in North Luwu Regency, including around the disaster area. To ensure network security, XL Axiata’s technical team has also been currently in the field to check all the network infrastructure there. In addition, the network engineering have been carried out by the team from the monitoring center so that services for customers can be maintained. Moreover, in times of disasters like this, telecommunications and data services are needed, both by the victims, as well as the disaster management apparatus. According to Bambang, the XL Axiata team will continue to be prepared in anticipating and handling the situation. Some preparations are also made to deal with any conditions that will come or may arise.
In addition, XL Axiata also supports the efforts to recover from post-flooding disaster within the North Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi Province. For this purpose, XL Axiata dispatched emergency assistance to residents affected by the disaster. The help that will be distributed includes food, medicine, and blankets. These distribution areas are in some of the most critically affected refuge locations. To channel this assistance, XL Axiata is working closely with local authorities to ensure that it reaches residents in need of help.