Cold Lahar Breaks Padang-Bukittinggi Access Via Valley Anai, Police Suggest Through Kelok 44

The condition of the national road at the Anai Valley Falls which was hit by a cold lava flood in Tanah Datar Regency, Sunday (12/5/2024). Antara/Fandi Yogari).

The Padang Pariaman Resort Police (Polres) confirmed that national road access from the direction of Padang City to Bukittinggi City and vice versa via Padang Pariaman Regency was cut off after the cold lava flood on Sunday, May 12 in the morning.

"I make sure the road in the Anai Valley breaks. This means that people cannot access the road from Padang Pariaman or Padang City to Bukittinggi through the Anai Valley Waterfall," said Padang Pariaman Police Chief AKBP Ahmad Faisol in Padang Pariaman, West Sumatra, Sunday, May 12, confiscated by Antara.

AKBP Faisol said heavy rains on Saturday, May 11, caused cold lava flooding at a number of points. The impact of the national road, precisely around the Anai Valley Waterfall, Tanah Datar Regency, collapsed and was cut off.

"I make sure people cannot cross the Anai Valley Waterfall route because the road is collapsed," he reminded. For people who want to go to Bukittinggi City, the Police Chief suggested going through the Kelok 44 route or Lake Maninjau, Agam Regency. In addition, motorists can also cross alternative routes via Malalak, Agam Regency and via Lauik Review.

"We suggest people pass Kelok 44 and Sitinjak Lauik," he suggested.

Separately, West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi ordered the Achmad Muchtar Hospital, Bukittinggi, to accept all disaster victims who were referred without exception.

"All victims must be accepted and given treatment. Regarding costs, later the local government will find solutions," said the Governor. Based on temporary data, the floods that hit three areas in West Sumatra, respectively, Agam Regency, Tanah Datar and Padang Panjang City resulted in many casualties and injuries.

Bukittinggi Hospital is one of the relatively close referral hospitals from the disaster site in the three areas.