Solok Regency Accelerates Cleaning of Flash Flood Affected Areas
The Solok Regency Government, West Sumatra, is accelerating the cleaning of residential and office areas affected by flash floods, deploying joint personnel, heavy machinery, and support from various agencies.
Solok Regent Jon Firman Pandu stated in an evaluation meeting at the Solerek Regency Main Command Post on Sunday night (27/9) that the cleaning of residential areas has reached approximately 80 per cent, while several office areas are still being processed.
To facilitate this, a joint force has been prepared, consisting of 150 TNI (Military) personnel, 80 Police personnel, 25 Navy personnel, 35 Brimob (Mobile Brigade) personnel, 40 Satpol PP (Public Order Agency) personnel, 30 Firefighters, as well as personnel from the BPBD (Disaster Management Agency) of Solok, Sawahlunto, and Dharmasraya regencies.
The Navy reported that the cleaning of residential areas has been completed, though water spraying is still required to clear remaining mud from roadsides. The cleaning of the DPMN area is still hindered by rocks and mud.
Meanwhile, the cleaning of the Regional Inspectorate Office area has reached approximately 80 per cent, and the Solok Regency Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) area is scheduled for handling on Monday (28/9). The BPJN is operating four pieces of heavy machinery and has received an additional five dump trucks to support cleaning and material transport.
The Solok Police stated that residential cleaning has reached nearly 80 per cent, allowing heavy machinery to be redirected towards office areas. The operation of heavy machinery requires support from dump trucks to prevent materials from accumulating again at the site.
The Environmental Agency has deployed three trucks to transport waste and cleaning debris to four disposal points. To accelerate transport, an additional six dump trucks are planned, while the fuel requirement for disaster management has reached approximately 1,500 litres.
In the evacuation sector, approximately 30 people are still staying at the residence of the Solok Vice Regent, while evacuees at the Guest House have returned to their respective homes. The Social Services Agency has also prepared approximately 1,900 food packets and basic food assistance for affected residents and personnel on duty.
The Health Office reported that two patients are still being treated at M Djamil Hospital in Padang, and nine people sustained minor injuries. Care is being provided to vulnerable groups, including pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, alongside psychological recovery efforts for the affected community.
A shortage of clean water remains a challenge in the affected areas. The local water utility (PDAM) reported damage to the main pipe from the Kayu Aro residential area to the office area, with targets to restore water flow to the office area by Monday, supported by water distribution via tank trucks.
Rapid data collection, validated with local village authorities, recorded 18 heavily damaged houses, 11 moderately damaged, 39 lightly damaged, one submerged house, and three houses at risk. These 72 houses will be addressed through a Solok Regent Decree, including requirements for the Housing Waiting Fund.
The BPBD has directed Disaster Preparedness Groups to assist in cleaning office areas and has requested civil servants from affected offices to participate in cleaning their respective facilities. The BNPB (National Disaster Management Agency) is also conducting studies using the InaRISK application and is encouraging the optimisation of heavy machinery and fuel supply to accelerate recovery.
In addition to cleaning residential and office areas, post-disaster management is focused on transporting materials, cleaning drainage and roadsides, river normalisation, restoring clean water networks, and meeting housing needs for residents whose homes were affected.