W. Sumatra Flooding, Landslides Affects 6,400 Across Region
Jakarta. Three days of heavy weather, including flooding and landslides, in West Sumatra has affect 6,400 people across 11 districts and cities.
“The number is likely to rise as team members on the field are still collecting data, especially in flooded areas which was caused by the rain last night and this morning,” Pagar Negara, West Sumatra's regional disaster mitigation agency (BPBD) head of emergency and logistics, said Friday (06/01).
Flooding affected Solok, South Pesisir, Limapuluh Kota, Agam, Padang Panjang, Mentawai, Pasaman, West Pasaman, South Solok, and Bukittinggi.
Solok and South Pesisir are the worst affected. In South Solok, torrents of rain and landslides engulfed houses in Tarandam village and a bridge in the Pauh Duo district on Friday.
“Pangkua Nagari Pakan Rabaa river in South Solok saw an increase in water flow,” Pagar stated.
Antara reported water levels reaching almost a meter which forced residents to evacuate. Roads in West Pasaman are also reportedly unusable at this stage.
“Based on the info from BMKG [the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency] through West Sumatra BPBD, the rain is predicted to fall up to the end of January, so we must remain vigilant,” said West Sumatra Governor Irwan Prayitno.
The governor urged the community to cooperate with authorities and stay vigilant around slippery roads and the potential for further landslides.
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