Flash Floods Hit Agam: 12 Dead, 9 Still Missing Amid Extreme Weather

Joint officers evacuate flash flood victims in Toboh, East Malalak Village, Malalak District, Agam Regency, West Sumatra. ANTARA/HO-Basarnas Padang

AGAM – A joint team from the Agam Regency Government, West Sumatra, continues to search for nine residents who remain missing due to landslides and flash floods that hit the area following heavy rainfall from November 22-27.

Abdul Ghafur, Head of the Emergency and Logistics Division of the Agam Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), said the search involved the Agam BPBD Task Force, the Padang Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the West Sumatra Regional Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), and the community.

"The joint team is searching for nine victims who are missing, buried by landslides and flash floods in four sub-districts," said Abdul Ghafur in Lubuk Basung, Antara, Friday, November 28.

The largest number of missing victims are in Nagari Malalak Timur, Malalak Sub-district. Seven residents were reported missing after being swept away by the flash floods on Wednesday (November 26) afternoon: Salma (52), Mirzal (58), En (6), Qilla (8), Adnan (1), Adi (45), and Yar (49).

Previously, eight victims from the same area were found deceased. They were Azmar (50), Jasmawati (60), Yusmaniar (60), Herman (65), Azir (36), Marnis (60), Gina (23), and Diman (75).

Searches were also conducted in other areas. In Arikia, Dalko Village, Tanjung Raya District, two residents were missing after being swept away by flash floods on Thursday (November 27) afternoon. They were identified as Afrizal and Mariana. Meanwhile, two other victims, Safrudin and Emninar, were found deceased.

In Paninggiran Bawang, Nan Limo Village, Palupuh District, a resident named Muhammad Daud (35) was missing after being buried by a landslide on Tuesday (November 25) afternoon. Meanwhile, in Kuok Tigo Koto, Matua Mudiak Village, Matur District, a resident named Rajibah (80) was missing after being buried by a landslide on Thursday (November 27).

"We hope these nine missing residents will be found soon," said Abdul Ghafur.

He stated that landslides, floods, strong winds, and fallen trees occurred in 16 sub-districts due to extreme weather over the past week.

To date, 12 residents have died, not including the victims of the flash flood in Salareh Aia Timur, Palembayan District, on Thursday afternoon (November 27).

The joint team has also evacuated approximately 150 residents affected by the flood in Ampek Nagari District.