Dramatic Evacuation of Padang Residents, SAR Team Uses Rubber Boat

PADANG - To evacuate residents trapped in the flood in Padang, Friday, January 2, the Padang Search and Rescue (SAR) Office, West Sumatra (Sumbar) has deployed many personnel.

"The evacuation process continues for residents trapped in the flood disaster in Padang using rubber boats," said the Head of the Padang SAR Office, Abdul Malik, in Padang, Saturday, quoted from ANTARA.

One of the evacuation locations carried out by the team was the Tabiang Banda Gadang area, Nanggalo, Padang City.

He explained that the evacuation process using rubber boats was dramatic, when personnel visited the residents' homes.

The reason is that residents cannot go anywhere because of the high water levels in the residential area so that they stay at home.

Residents are forced to survive because it is not possible to penetrate the water puddles that can threaten the safety and security of each individual.

"After being evacuated from the house, the residents were immediately taken by personnel to a safer place," he said.

The evacuation process continues to be carried out by the Padang SAR Team until Friday (2/1), around 22.00 WIB.

After the Tabiang Banda Gadang area, the team continued the evacuation to the Hannah Asri housing, Lubuk Buaya Padang which was also affected by the flood.

The flooding in Padang City was triggered by high rainfall since Friday (2/1) morning which caused rivers to overflow until the water flooded settlements, while hundreds of residents' houses were flooded with varying heights.

Until around 19.40 WIB, rain was still falling with moderate to heavy intensity.

His party appealed to residents to remain alert for flooding.

The evacuation process took place in various locations in Padang City, including the Dadok Tunggul Hitam area, Kurao Pagang, Lalang Belimbing Market, and Pauh.

The evacuation was not only carried out by the Padang SAR personnel, but also by the Padang BPBD, Satpol-PP, TNI, Polri, Disaster Preparedness Community (KSB), Padang City Government Deputy Mayor, volunteers, Scouts, and others.