Mahyeldi Urges Central Government To Set National Disaster Status In West Sumatra

JAKARTA - West Sumatra Governor (West Sumatra) Mahyeldi Ansharullah asked the central government to determine the flash floods and landslides that hit its territory as a national disaster. This request was conveyed considering the amount of physical damage and the large number of casualties caused by the disaster.

Mahyeldi explained that more than 30,000 buildings were damaged, including residents' houses, schools, hospitals, and various vital infrastructures.

In addition, around 13,000 hectares of rice fields were also affected. The amount of temporary losses is estimated at IDR 1.2 trillion.

"Looking at the scale of the damage and the number of victims, we assess that handling this disaster requires full support from the central government," said Mahyeldi.

As of Monday, December 1 afternoon, temporary data recorded 151 people died, while 118 people were still missing. Around 130,000 residents were forced to flee to various refugee camps prepared by the local government and volunteers.

Mahyeldi said the post-disaster recovery process is estimated to take a long time. Redevelopment of infrastructure and settlements will face major challenges, especially with the budget efficiency policy in 2026.

"The recovery process is certainly not short. Apart from emergency response efforts, long-term planning is needed so that people can return to their activities safely," he said.

In addition to evacuating victims and reopening the cut transportation route, the West Sumatra Provincial Government (Pemprov West Sumatra) has also prepared a relocation plan for people living in flood and landslide-prone areas. The relocation will be carried out based on a mapping area that is considered safer than the risk of disasters in the future.

The West Sumatra Provincial Government hopes that the determination of national disaster status can accelerate logistics distribution, strengthen cross-ministerial coordination, and accelerate the recovery of the worst-affected areas.