19-5-2024 (JAKARTA) West Sumatra authorities have declared a state of emergency following deadly flash floods and lahars (volcanic mudflows) over the weekend that left dozens dead and hundreds of homes destroyed.
The emergency status, announced on Monday, will remain in effect until May 26th, according to Ilham Wahab, spokesperson for the West Sumatra Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD). “Declaring a state of emergency is crucial to accelerate disaster mitigation efforts, including victim evacuation and aid distribution,” Ilham stated.
Heavy rainfall on Saturday triggered the catastrophic flash floods, landslides, and lahars, which are fluid masses of water and volcanic debris originating from nearby Mount Marapi. The volcano has experienced increased activity in recent months, including a deadly eruption in December 2023 that claimed over 20 lives.
At least six regencies and cities have been impacted by the disaster, with Agam and Tanah Datar regencies being the most severely affected areas. In addition to destroying more than 200 houses and dozens of rice fields, the flooding has also severed the main access road between the provincial capital of Padang and Bukittinggi.
As of Wednesday, the official death toll stood at 67 fatalities and 44 injuries, with at least 989 households affected by the floods. Search and rescue teams are still searching for around 20 missing individuals, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), while officials at Agam BPBD stated that several bodies of those reported missing have been recovered in the regency.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) attributed the heavy rainfall to warmer sea surface temperatures caused by climate change, leading to the formation of moisture-laden clouds. The agency also noted that a buildup of volcanic material from last year’s Mount Marapi eruption contributed to the severity of the lahars.
The government will disburse cash assistance ranging from Rp 15 million (RM4,400) to Rp 60 million to repair damaged homes, depending on the level of destruction, said BNPB head Lt Gen Suharyanto. “We also offer affected residents the option to relocate permanently to a safer location, as this disaster might occur again,” Suharyanto added.
Governor Mahyeldi Ansharullah stated that the administrations of West Sumatra and Agam regency had prepared an area for relocation, but did not specify the exact location, mentioning only that provincial authorities were collaborating with the BMKG and the Geological Agency to identify relatively safe areas for families to relocate.
The BNPB has urged residents across West Sumatra, particularly those living near rivers originating from Mount Marapi, to remain vigilant against the risk of further disasters.
