672 People Evacuated After Flooding in Three Padang Districts
Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that flooding on Saturday (10 October) affected three districts and six urban villages in Padang, West Sumatra.
According to a report from the West Sumatra Provincial Disaster Management Agency’s Operations Control Centre (Pusdalops BPBD) at 03:34 local time on Sunday (11 October), the floodwaters had not yet receded, and data collection and evacuations were continuing.
“The three affected districts are Kuranji, Koto Tangah and Nanggalo. The six affected urban villages are Kuranji, Koto Panjang Ikua Koto, Batipuh Panjang, Lubuk Minturun, Tabiang Banda Gadang and Gurun Laweh,” said Berton SP Panjaitan, acting head of BNPB’s Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre, in a statement on Sunday.
Preliminary data showed that the flooding had affected about 225 households, or 498 people. In addition, 672 people were reported to have evacuated in Kuranji District, specifically in Kuranji urban village.
The evacuees were spread across three locations: 367 people at the Lapau Munggu evacuation tent and residents’ homes; 250 at the Ar Ridwan prayer hall in Kampung Tangah; and 55 at Warung Jembatan Guo.
“The data on affected residents and evacuees is still being collected and updated,” Berton said.
Preliminary damage assessments recorded one severely damaged house and four moderately damaged houses. About 120 houses were also reported to have been affected by the flooding.
The floods also cut off road access in Kuranji, near the regional water company’s site in Guo, hampering access to affected areas.
The Padang Disaster Management Agency, together with related agencies, is carrying out rapid assessments, collecting data and evacuating affected residents. Joint search and rescue teams were reported to have evacuated 238 people.
Authorities have also distributed assistance to meet the basic needs of affected residents and evacuees.
Berton said the disaster agency and other relevant parties were continuing evacuations and data collection. The wide area affected, along with several roads submerged by floodwater, has made it difficult to reach some locations.
Alongside emergency response efforts, repairs to a breached embankment along the Lapau Munggu river in Kuranji urban village, Kuranji District, have been recommended to help reduce flood risk in the area.
“BNPB continues to urge local governments and relevant parties to optimise the emergency response, meet the basic needs of affected residents and evacuees, and ensure the safety of communities in disaster-hit areas,” Berton said.
BNPB also urged residents to remain alert to the risk of flooding and landslides, particularly during heavy rain that lasts for an extended period.
“People living in disaster-prone areas should understand the hazards around them, protect themselves and their families, and move to a safer place immediately if conditions threaten their safety,” he said.