Floods Expand, Padang Closes Schools And Activates Lurah Offices As Evacuation Posts

A number of residents with umbrellas watched the overflow of the Lubuk Min River down in Central Koto, Padang City, Thursday (27/11/2025). (ANTARA)

PADANG - Padang City Government (Pemkot), West Sumatra (West Sumatra), has dismissed teaching and learning activities at the elementary and junior high school levels following the hydrometeorological disasters that have hit the area since the last few days.

"Yes, and we are currently preparing the circular," said Head of the Padang City Education Office (Disdik) Yopi Krislova, quoted by Antara, Thursday, November 27.

In line with that, the Mayor of Padang Fadly Amran also ordered the village head and sub-district offices to function as temporary evacuation sites for residents affected by the flood. Meanwhile, State Civil Apparatus (ASN) who are not affected by the disaster are asked to continue working.

"We have asked ASN who are not affected by the disaster to remain on duty. Open their offices for temporary evacuation sites for people in need," said Fadly Amran during a review of flood victims in Lubuk Min.

Given that the hydrometeorological disaster conditions have not subsided, Fadli Aman asked personnel who have experience in rescue in the field to help deal with the impact of disasters.

"To overcome the limitations of rescue personnel, I have asked personnel who have experience in serving in disaster to rejoin the BPBD task force to accelerate the evacuation process," said Fadly Amran.

Separately, the Head of BMKG Minangkabau Class II Meteorological Station, Desindra Deddy Kurniawan, reminded the public to be aware of the potential for extreme weather in the province, which is estimated to still occur until November 29, 2025.

"By looking at the development of actual atmospheric dynamics, the public is advised to increase awareness of the potential for extreme weather, especially heavy to extreme rain which can be accompanied by strong winds in most parts of West Sumatra," said Deddy.

Desirendra Deddy said the extreme weather warning was related to the presence of 95B tropical cyclone seeds identified since November 21, 2025, in the Malacca Strait to the east of Aceh waters.

This condition, he said, triggered a pattern of meeting wind currents or air masses in West Sumatra as well as the Ocean Dipole Index (IOD) with negative value, thereby increasing the supply of water vapor and humidity which caused unstable atmospheric conditions. This includes the growth of thick and wide rain clouds and causing high intensity rain and long duration in West Sumatra in the past week.