TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Head of Center Information for Data and Public Relations of National Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Purwo Nugroho said continuous rain occurring since February 5 has caused flood and landslide in a number of districts in West Sumatra.
The area hit by the disaster include Agam, South Solok, and Limapuluh City District. In South Solok district, flood and landslide occurred in three subdistricts including in Pagu River, Pauh Duo, and Sangir. “The flood was caused by an overflow of Batang Bangko, Batang Suliti, and Batang Lolo River,” Sutopo said in a statement on Monday, February 8, 2016.
The flood and landslide have caused access road from Muaralabuh-Padang Aro Kerinci to be completely cut-off. The landslide occurred at 8pm on Saturday; hitting a local’s house and buried six people which four of them are still in search.
As many as 2,000 homes are drowned in 1.5m of water and 1,000 hectares of paddy field are also drowned in a 1m flood.
The overflow of Batang Lembang River have also flooded 36 homes in Koto Panjang Village, Tanjung Harapan Subdistrict, and Kampai Tabu Karambia Village, Solok City. Meanwhile, a landslide occurred in Agam District at 2am Sunday.
Flood has also hit Nagari Pangkalan, Pangkalan Nagari Subdistrict, Limapuluh City District. Hundreds of homes were flooded by a 1m height of water.
Currently, official agencies and the residents has been collecting data and conducting emergency treatment. Several posts has been built to give away food.
LARISSA HUDA