Torrential Rain; Padang City Heavily Flooded

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Heavy rain that has been pouring down Padang City all night since Thursday night has caused flooding. Padang Deputy Mayor Ekol Albar said that all areas in Padang City were flooded, the worst hit was the Sub District of Rawang in South Padang District.

"Floods are evenly distributed throughout the city of Padang," he told Tempo on Friday, July 14.

Meanwhile, the city's head of the Emergency and Logistics Division Rumainur said that the flood is quite severe, with the water level reaching an average of one meter. 

The Padang City Government has deployed 20 personnel from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD). The government has also deployed officers of the Disaster Preparedness Rapid Reaction Team (TRC) from 11 districts.

"We have dispatched rescue personnel to evacuate residents trapped in the floods. Two rubber boats have been sent there," he said.

Ekos said that emergency tents have not been pitched yet, but residents can take shelter at the Padang City Deputy Mayor's Office House. "People with serious illnesses or conditions have been evacuated to the official residence. There are two people who have suffered a stroke there," he said.

Eko asked relevant parties to prepare soup kitchens and emergency tents in each district.

Fachri Hamzah

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