BPBD Records 15 Flood Points in Padang City, Residents Urged to Be Alert for Extreme Weather
Heavy rain that has lashed Padang City since Monday afternoon (3/8) and continued into the evening has flooded thousands of homes across at least 15 locations. Several areas have experienced sufficiently deep inundation that the evacuation of residents is still ongoing.
Ilham Wahab, Secretary of the West Sumatra Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), said joint teams were still recording data and evacuating residents affected by flooding at a number of locations.
“BPBD teams together with elements of the TNI, Polri, Basarnas, the city government and volunteers are still in the field carrying out evacuations and data collection for affected residents. The high rainfall has caused a number of residential areas to be inundated,” said Ilham Wahab.
According to BPBD data as of Monday evening, there were at least 15 flood points spread across various areas of Padang City.
Locations still undergoing evacuation include Lubuk Minturun, Sungai Lareh, RT 01 RW 01 Pasa Lalang in Kuranji District, RT 02 RW 06 Lapau Munggu in Kuranji District, and Gunuang Sariak.
Meanwhile, a number of other locations were also reported to be inundated, although evacuation had not yet begun as officers were still assessing conditions on the ground.
These locations include the Abi Lumin housing estate, Lubuk Timpuruang Guo, the Wahana II complex in Kuranji, behind RSI Siti Rahmah in Aia Pacah, behind RSUD dr. Rasidin in Aia Pacah, SDIT Alam Ar Royyan on the Pegambiran Bypass, SMP Negeri 27 Sungai Sapih behind the Padang City Hall, RT 01 RW 07 Pasa Lalang Kuranji, Lapau Banjuang Pasar Pagi Balai Baru Kuranji, and Jalan Usang Sungai Sapiah, at the Taman Asri III housing junction.
BPBD is still compiling data on the number of homes and residents affected by the floods. The data collection is being carried out in stages, given that inundation persists in several areas and the rain has not yet fully subsided.
Ilham urged the public, particularly those living in low-lying areas, along riverbanks and in flood-prone zones, to remain vigilant and follow the instructions of officers if asked to evacuate.
“We urge the public to remain alert because rain is still likely to occur. If water levels continue to rise, move immediately to a safer location and follow the directions of officers in the field,” he said.
Meanwhile, the BMKG issued an early weather warning on Monday (3/8) at 17.19 WIB. The agency said moderate to heavy rain, potentially accompanied by lightning, thunder and strong winds, could still occur from 17.30 WIB onwards.
For Padang City, the potential for extreme weather was forecast for South Padang, East Padang, West Padang, North Padang, Bungus Teluk Kabung, Lubuk Begalung, Lubuk Kilangan, Pauh, Kuranji, Nanggalo and Koto Tangah.
The BMKG also said these conditions could spread to several other areas of West Sumatra, including Pesisir Selatan Regency, Padang Pariaman, Agam, South Solok, West Pasaman, Dharmasraya, Sijunjung, Solok and Pariaman City. Moderate to heavy rain with thunder and strong winds was expected to continue until around 20.00 WIB.
BPBD reminded the public to keep monitoring weather updates, avoid activities near overflowing rivers, and remain alert to the possibility of follow-up flooding or falling trees should heavy rain persist.