Floods Inundate West Aia Gadang, West Sumatra, 150 Families Evacuated

SIMPANG EMPAT - More than 150 families in Aia Gadang Barat Village, Pasaman District, West Pasaman Regency, West Sumatra, were affected by flooding from the Batang Pasaman River from Monday evening, November 24, to Tuesday morning.

"On Monday night, the water level reached 1 to 1.5 meters in Jorong Pasir Bintungan and Labuah Luruih. More than 150 families were affected. A joint team has been deployed to the location to provide assistance," said Acting Mayor of Aia Gadang Barat Village, Khairil Ikhwan, as quoted by Antara on Tuesday, November 25.

Pasaman District Head Andre Affandi stated on Tuesday morning that 40 families had been evacuated to safety by boat at midnight on Monday (November 23) due to high water levels.

"All teams mobilized last night. Deputy Regent M. Ihpan, Regional Secretary Doddy San Ismail, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the National Police (Polri), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the BPBD team, and others immediately went to the field to provide assistance," he said.

According to him, the overflowing Batang Pasaman River was caused by the heavy rainfall that had hit the area since Monday morning.

As of Tuesday (November 25th) morning, the water level inside residents' homes had decreased by about 20 centimeters, but the water level remained 90-100 centimeters outside.

"Traffic flow is still disrupted, and this morning the road is impassable by vehicles because the road is still flooded," he said.

He explained that today a public kitchen will be set up in the area of ​​the Aia Gadang Barat Village Head's Office to distribute supplies to affected residents, and the community health center will set up a health post to prevent diarrhea, skin diseases, and other infectious diseases.

"The city continues to issue warnings to residents due to the extreme weather and remains vigilant for the possibility of natural disasters," he said.