Flash Floods Hit Sungai Batang Agam, Affecting 90 Families

A flash flood struck Nagari Sungai Batang, Tanjung Raya District, Agam Regency, West Sumatra. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported that the flood was triggered by heavy rainfall.

The flash flood occurred on Saturday (18/7/2026) at approximately 7.45 p.m. Western Indonesia Time. The floodwaters gradually receded in the early hours of Sunday morning.

"There is an anomaly in this event, namely a flash flood in Agam Regency," said Abdul Muhari, Head of the BNPB Data, Information, and Communication Centre, in a written statement on Sunday (19/7).

The flash flood in Agam occurred while Indonesia is currently in the dry season. The flood was triggered by high-intensity rainfall and the silting of the Batang Tumayo River, which caused water to overflow into residential areas.

In a video shared by the BNPB, brown water was seen flowing swiftly in front of residents’ houses. The water also entered people’s homes.

Abdul Muhari stated that 90 families were affected by the flood. Residents who had evacuated returned to their homes once the water receded.

"At the time of the incident, 450 residents evacuated temporarily. By early morning, the flood was reported to be gradually receding and some of the evacuees returned to their respective homes," he explained.

Muhari urged residents to remain alert to the possibility of further disasters. He also advised the public to monitor information updates from official sources.

"BNPB also urges the public to remain vigilant against the possibility of geological disasters such as earthquakes, which can occur at any time. Residents are expected to prepare disaster preparedness bags as a precautionary measure and to constantly monitor information updates from official and trusted sources, such as BNPB, BPBD, and BMKG," he said.