TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - As many as 37 people lost their lives as a result of flash floods in West Sumatra, according to the head of the Padang Search and Rescue Office, or Basarnas. In his formal declaration on Sunday evening, May 12, 2024, Abdul Malik, the Head of the Basarnas Padang Office, stated as much.

"We can confirm that 37 victims died as a result of cold lava flash floods in Tanah Datar and Agam Regencies which occurred on Saturday, May 11, 2024," he said.

Abdul continued, the victims who were found were at three points, namely, Ahmad Muchtar Bukittinggi Hospital, Batusangkar Tanah Datar Regional General Hospital (RSUD) and Bhayangkara Hospital. "There are several victims who have been taken by their families to be buried," he said.

The flash flood also caused roads to be cut off. West Sumatra Deputy Police Chief Brigadier General Guguh Setiyono said the road that was cut off was around kilometer 64. The road had collapsed into the river and could not be passed by 2-wheeled or 4-wheeled vehicles. "We can't estimate how long it will take," he said.

"I saw that the road had collapsed and there was a lot of empty space under the shoulder of the road," he said.

Guguh continued, the current condition of the road is very badly damaged. So it takes time to repair. "We will try our best to fix it," he said.

Apart from via Silaing, road access via Malalak Padang Pariaman is also impassable. Because the road to Bukittinggi City was buried in landslide material. "Malalak also cannot be passed because of landslides. We are trying to clean it up," he said.

He also explained that people who want to go to Bukittinggi City from Padang City can take the Sitinjau route. "The only route we recommend to get to Bukittinggi City is via Sitinjau, but you still have to be careful," he said.

FACHRI HAMZAH

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