Access To The West-Mandailing Christmas Pasaman Route, North Sumatra, Is Landslide Cut Off

Road bodies in Muara Mais, Nagari Batahan, Ranah Batahan District, Pasaman Regency/ANTARA HO BPBD

PASAMAN BARAT - Access to cross-provincial road transportation connecting West Pasaman Regency, West Sumatra to Mandailing Natal Regency, North Sumatra was cut off due to landslides in Muara Mais, Nagari Batahan, Ranah Batahan District, Friday (3/11/night.

"The landslide was triggered by heavy rains that hit the area since Friday (3/11) afternoon. In addition to landslides, the Batang Sidunapan River overflowed onto the road," said Head of the Emergency and Logistics Division of the West Pasaman Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Afrizal, as reported by ANTARA, Friday, November 3.

He said that currently the joint team was heading to the landslide location and the flood was to provide assistance.

"The landslide covered the road so that both four-wheeled and two-wheeled vehicles could not pass through the road," he said.

His party has also coordinated with the Public Works and Spatial Planning Office to bring in heavy equipment so that landslide material can be cleaned.

Regarding the floods that inundated residents' houses, it is currently uncertain how many because they are still collecting data in the field.

"The overflow came from the Sidumapan River and Batahan River. The water also reached the road," he said.

The public is advised to increase vigilance because the rainy season is currently high.

Moreover, he said, West Pasaman is one of the areas in West Sumatra that is prone to floods and landslides.

"In addition to owning large rivers, West Pasaman also has hilly areas that are prone to landslides," he said.