Handling the Impact of Flash Floods in Agam, BPBD Acknowledges 52 Excavator Units are Needed

JAKARTA - The Agam Regency Government in West Sumatra (Sumbar) needs heavy equipment and dump trucks to clean up debris from flash floods, landslides and river normalization due to hydrometeorological disasters that hit the area.

Head of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Agam Rahmat Lasmono said Agam still needs 52 excavators, four wheel loaders and 24 dump trucks.

"Heavy equipment and dump trucks are for seven sub-districts that are affected by flash floods, floods and landslides," he said in Lubuk Basung, Wednesday, quoted by Antara.

He said that the seven sub-districts, namely, Palembayan Sub-district, needed 15 excavators, two wheel loaders and 10 dump trucks. Palupuh Sub-district needs three excavators and three dump trucks.

For Malalak District, 10 excavators are needed for two types. Tanjung Raya District needs 10 excavators and 5 dump trucks.

After that, Ampek Koto District needs two units of excavators. Matur District needs one unit of excavator and one unit of wheel loader.

"We need heavy equipment and dump trucks to clean up the remaining materials, carry materials and normalize the river," he said.

He admitted that currently there are 45 units of heavy equipment, namely 38 units of excavators, four units of wheel loaders, three units of bulldozers and 15 units of dump trucks.

Heavy equipment and dump trucks are scattered in Palembayan, Tanjung Raya, Malalak and Palupuh Districts.

For this reason, his party hopes that heavy equipment, dump trucks from companies, individuals and others will be provided so that the cleaning of materials and normalization of the river can be completed in the near future.

"We really need heavy equipment, so that the material of flash floods, the access to open traffic so that there are no more isolated areas," he said.

He added that the isolated or limited roads were in Banio Balirik Nagari Pagadih and Anak Aia Kijang Nagari Nan Tujuah Palupuh District.

After that, Sinir Air Nagari Malalak Selatan, Malalak District. Lambeh Palembayan District and Pambatuangan Matur District.

"The road conditions are blocked, the bridge is damaged and others," he said.

The natural disaster, which resulted in 192 people dying, 72 people have not been found and eight people are being treated.

472 units were slightly damaged, 290 units were moderately damaged, 838 units were severely damaged, 114 units of educational facilities were damaged, 11 units of places of worship were damaged.

For damaged bridges 49 points, damaged roads 69 points, damaged agricultural land 1,948.23 hectares and others.