Floods Hit Transmigration Settlement In South Solok, West Sumatra

Conditions after the flood in the transmigration settlement of South Solok/PHOTO VIA ANTARA

PADANG ARO - A total of 32 houses, two of which were washed away, in the Transmigration Settlement Unit of Tangah Hamlet, Sangir Batanghari District, South Solok Regency, West Sumatra, were flooded.

Wali Nagari (Head of Traditional Village) Dusun Tangah, Radiman Sigintir said the flash flood that occurred at 04.30 WIB was an overflow from the Batang Siat River due to heavy rains that hit the area.

"The river originates at PT Bina Pratama Sakato Jaya (SS-1) in Madiak, which is currently replanting its oil palm plantations. So when it rains heavily, water will overflow into residential areas," he said, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, December 14.

Because of the sudden disaster, he said, the 32 heads of families who were directly affected by the flood could not save their belongings at home.

"All they can bring is clothes that stick to their bodies," he said.

Residents' houses were flooded with various heights, some as high as half a meter to more than two meters. There were no fatalities in the incident.

"This transmigration settlement is in the form of hills. So the water levels vary. From half a meter to the roof, you can see," continued Radiman.

When the incident occurred, he said, the affected residents immediately fled to their neighbors' houses to save themselves.

Currently, he said, the water had receded and some residents had cleaned their houses. A total of two heads of families whose houses were swept away, temporarily fled to their relatives' houses.

For early assistance, the nagari provided assistance in the form of rice and cooking oil.

"To eat, the neighbors provide assistance," explained Radiman.

He hoped that the local government could immediately distribute aid to meet the food for the flood victims.

Meanwhile, the Head of the South Solok Social Service, Zulkarnaini, said that his party had distributed basic necessities and clothing to the victims of the flash flood in Tangah Hamlet.

"We did not build a public kitchen because the affected neighbors could provide assistance," he said.