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Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara. Authorities declared the region on top alert on Monday after floods hit the hamlet of Waibalun in Larantuka, East Flores.

Yeremias Tukan, a district official who was also forced to evacuate his home during Sunday evening’s floods, confirmed the top alert status.

Acting district chief Mohammad Wongso quickly responded to the crisis on Sunday night, visiting displaced Waibalun residents at a local church and at several health centers.

“[Wongso] has ordered that a soup kitchen be immediately established and that instant food, such as noodles, be sent right away,” Tukan said.

He added that relief in the form of rice, medicine, blankets and medical teams had been sent to the area on Monday.

Five elementary schools in Waibalun remain closed due to the flooding.

Local resident Emanuel Niron said he lost all his possessions as flood waters swept his home away.

He and his wife and two children are currently staying at the Santo Ignatius Church in Larantuka.

“We are now homeless and are forced to stay here, at the church. If the government does not provide assistance for us to rebuild our home, we will have to stay here,” Emanuel said.

Province governor Frans Lebu Raya convened a meeting of the various offices related to disaster mitigation on Monday to determine what relief can be sent to the area. Frans also said he had ordered Wongso to immediately provide emergency relief to the victims.

The East Nusa Tenggara head of social affairs, Piter Manuk, said his department is still negotiating with district authorities to coordinate relief strategies.

“The East Flores district is still collecting data so exact figures remain unclear, but we estimate that more than 1,000 people have been forced to evacuate their homes,” Manuk said.