W Sumatra flood disaster response enters recovery phase: BNPB

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Head of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Suharyanto, informed that disaster management in West Sumatra is progressing and has entered the recovery phase after three days of intensive response.

"West Sumatra has recovered significantly on the third day. Moreover, there is no rain now, along with the ongoing Weather Modification Operation (OMC)," he remarked in a statement on Monday.

The BNPB recorded 129 fatalities, 118 missing people, and 16 others injured.

In Padang Pariaman District, most evacuees have begun returning to their homes to clean up remaining materials.

Agam District was the most impacted area, with 87 deaths and 76 people still missing.

Overall, eight districts/cities were affected by flash floods and landslides, namely Agam, Solok, Pesisir Selatan, Padang, Padang Panjang, Pariaman, Tanah Datar, and Bukittinggi.

He informed that 77,918 evacuees were recorded with most residents choosing to return home during the day to clean, and then return to evacuation posts at night.

According to him, the priority remains repairing damaged infrastructure, namely broken bridges, collapsed roads, and blocked national and provincial routes. Parts of the national roads in Padang Panjang City and Sicincin are still cut off.

Meanwhile, the aid distributed includes basic necessities, hygiene kits, ready-to-eat meals, blankets, tents, and heavy equipment such as excavators, Suharyanto noted.

He informed that all BNPB personnel are in the affected areas assisting the local government.

"They have been on the ground for four days and all activities are proceeding according to plan," Suharyanto emphasized.

He added that aircraft use is still limited, as land routes are still operational. The deployed fleet consisted of one BNPB helicopter, one fixed-wing aircraft, and one Basarnas helicopter.

Data from the West Sumatra Integrated Disaster Mitigation Post recorded 131 personnel deployed to handle the impacts of flooding, mudslides, river sedimentation, and damaged irrigation channels.

Response efforts focused on restoring river flow and water distribution for residential and agricultural areas, Suharyanto highlighted.

Heavy equipment used included excavators, mini excavators, and long-arm excavators. Some locations also relied on manual tools such as hoes and shovels, he continued.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Minangkabau Meteorological Station, Desindra Deddy Kurniawan, stated that the ex-Tropical Cyclone Senyar, which caused the disaster, has moved away from Indonesian territory. However, West Sumatra will still experience the peak of the rainy season until December.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) called on the public to stay alert for extreme weather, remain aware of their surroundings, and start returning home from evacuation sites in stages.

The affected areas asked to increase their vigilance include 16 districts/cities, namely: Mentawai Islands, Pasaman Barat, Agam, Bukittinggi, Tanah Datar, Padang Panjang, Padang Pariaman, Pariaman, Padang, Pesisir Selatan, Pasaman, Lima Puluh Kota, Payakumbuh, Sawahlunto, Solok District, Solok City, and Solok Selatan.