Solok Regency declares disaster response status following flash floods
The Solok Regency Government, West Sumatra, has declared a disaster response status after flash floods struck the Arosuka area on Monday (21/9) night, impacting residents and several government facilities.
Solok Regent Jon Firman Pandu stated in Solok on Tuesday that the disaster response status is effective from today to expedite the evacuation process, the clearing of flood debris, impact assessment, and the management of the needs of affected communities.
“We are going directly to the field to observe the condition of the community and ensure that the handling of the disaster’s impact can be carried out as quickly as possible. The most important priority right now is public safety and ensuring that the urgent needs of affected residents are addressed immediately,” he said.
The flash flood occurred in the Arosuka area, Solok Regency, at approximately 19:53 WIB on Monday (21/9), following high-intensity rainfall in the region.
The Solok Regent inspected several affected locations alongside the Vice Regent of Solok, H. Candra, Acting Regional Secretary Masheri Yanda Boy, members of the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), heads of regional apparatus organisations, village officials, and other relevant parties.
Also present during the inspection were the Governor of West Sumatra, Mahyeldi Ansharullah, and the West Sumatra Regional Police Chief, Inspector General Pol Djati Wiyoto Abadhy, to assess the condition of the disaster-affected areas and the response efforts being undertaken by the government and field officers.
The Solok Regency Government has prepared evacuation tents and disaster posts in front of the Solok Regent’s Office Complex and in front of the Solok Regency BPJS Office. These posts serve as information centres and hubs for managing disaster-related needs.
The flash floods also impacted several government office facilities. Of the approximately 11 departments affected, significant damage was observed in several offices, including the DPMN, Public Works and Spatial Planning Office (PUPR), Tourism Office, Health Office, Barenlitbang, Inspectorate, Regional Revenue, and the Secretariat of the Solok Regency DPRD.
Preliminary data records six people affected, with two individuals still missing and four others receiving medical treatment at health facilities.
The two missing persons are identified by the initials AG (59) and DA (21). Meanwhile, ML (54), AS (66), and YN (45) are undergoing treatment at the Arosuka Regional Hospital, while MN (57) is receiving care at SPH Padang.
The Regent urged the public to increase vigilance against the possibility of extreme weather and follow-up disasters, and to follow the instructions of officers if asked to move away from locations that could potentially endanger safety.
“Disaster management requires cooperation from all parties. The local government will continue to monitor field conditions and take necessary steps according to the development of the situation,” he said.
The Solok Regency Government, together with the BPBD and relevant agencies, continues to manage the affected locations, including the evacuation process, clearing flood debris, assessing damage, and meeting the needs of the community during the disaster response period.