BPBD Sumbar: Normalization of the River is the Key to Preventing Recurring Floods

JAKARTA - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Padang City, West Sumatra (Sumbar) said normalization was the key to mitigating or preventing the overflow of river water discharge which could have an impact on repeated flooding in the city.

"What we need is heavy equipment to normalize the river. Otherwise, the condition will continue like this," said the Head of the Padang City BPBD, Hendri Zulviton, in Padang City, quoted by Antara, Saturday, January 3.

This was conveyed by Hendri Zulviton regarding the interruption of the main access in the Batu Busuak area, Pauh District, along 15 meters due to the Batang Kuranji river.

Hendri said that dredging river sediments was considered crucial after the late November 2025 flood or galodo. This is because, although a number of heavy equipment have been deployed, they have not been able to fully overcome the damage to the river flow.

"So, we have to dredge the river sediment and then make a check dam. Otherwise, the condition will linger like this," he said.

He said dredging and making a check dam were urgent and vital. Moreover, the only main road in Batu Busuak, Pauh District, has been cut off by 15 meters due to erosion by the river flow.

Currently, the river conditions in Batu Busuak have been dredged and widened to the right and left sides, causing the main access for two and four wheels to be completely broken. Therefore, river normalization is considered urgent to prevent losses or the worst impacts later.

"So the solution is to bring as many heavy equipment as possible," he said.