PVMBG Warns Public of Potential Mount Marapi Flash Flood

TEMPO.CO, Padang - The Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center (PVMBG) called on the public to watch out for potential flash flood around the river flows originating from Mount Marapi, West Sumatra.

"During the rainy season when the rain is high-intensity, the rivers that originate from Mount Marapi have the potential for flash floods," PVMBG Head Hendra Gunawan noted in a written statement received on Saturday.

Gunawan made this statement in connection with the result of a study on land movement in the districts of Tanah Datar and Agam in West Sumatra.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has prepared several mitigation measures to anticipate potential flash floods, including through the application of weather modification technology.

The use of weather modification is expected to move rain cloud seeds from the affected location to the ocean.

According to PVMBG's report, the type of land movement that occurred in Agam and Tanah Datar was triggered by flash floods containing volcanic materials after the eruption of Mount Marapi.

Responding to the potential for flash floods and land movement, the PVMBG has issued several recommendations, such as urging residents around Mount Marapi's river flows to immediately evacuate to safer locations.

The PVMBG recommended monitoring the development of the volcanic material flow, especially in the upstream rivers of Mount Marapi.

Locals are urged to stay away from river areas and locations where land movement occurs.

The PVMBG also suggested immediately building a check dam to control the volcanic material flow.

"This includes repairing and enlarging river culverts, implementing river normalization, and bringing about improvement, especially upstream," Gunawan stated.

ANTARA

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