Floods in Padang City: 3 Sub-districts Affected, Several Motorcycles Swept Away

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) deployed a joint team to evacuate residents affected by flooding in Padang City, West Sumatra.

The evacuation was carried out using boats after floodwaters inundated a number of residential areas and road access points.

Head of BNPB’s Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre, Abdul Muhari, said the flooding was triggered by high-intensity rain that battered Padang City from 11.00 to 17.00 WIB on Monday (3/8).

“The prolonged heavy rain triggered floodwaters that overflowed into residential areas and main roads at several points. In response, the joint team from the Padang City BPBD deployed polyethylene boats to evacuate residents to safe locations,” he said on Monday.

According to data from the Padang City Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the flooding affected three districts: Kuranji, Koto Tangah, and Bungus Teluk Kabung.

In Kuranji District, the affected areas included Lapau Munggu, Wahana Complex, Kampuang Tanjung, Pasar Lalang, and Gunung Sarik. In Koto Tangah District, floodwaters submerged Aia Pacah, the area behind the Regional General Hospital (RSUD), and the Green Mandiri housing estate. In Bungus Teluk Kabung District, the flooding was reported to have hit five urban wards.

BNPB’s Operations Control Directorate also received reports from field officers that the strong flood currents on several roads had swept away a number of residents’ motorcycles.

Abdul said rain continued to fall over parts of Padang City into Monday night. As a result, floodwaters had not yet receded at several points, while the process of recording casualties and losses was still under way.

“Residents in vulnerable areas are advised to keep monitoring official information from the regional government and local BPBD, and to promptly follow officers’ instructions should evacuation be necessary for the sake of collective safety,” he said.

BNPB said public vigilance must remain heightened following the extreme weather early warning issued by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

Earlier, BMKG’s Meteorology Directorate detected the formation of Tropical Cyclone Seed 94W over the Philippine Sea, which has the potential to increase the likelihood of heavy rain in several regions, particularly across much of western Sumatra, during the period of 3–5 August.