Asked To Be Alert, BMKG Predicts Larger Follow-Up Floods In West Sumatra

Cold lava floods in Padang Pariaman, West Sumatra (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) predicts that there will be a potential for lava flooding after the aftershock of Mount Marapi, West Sumatra, whose impact is greater than before, so as to urge the public and joint disaster management team officers to increase vigilance.

Head of BMKG Dwikorita Karnawati said that this was triggered by the high potential for moderate, heavy-very heavy rain to fall over the next week or based on the analysis of the meteorological team which lasted until May 22, 2024.

"Rain does not need to be heavy but even moderately can sweep the lava material of Mount Marapi, which is also feared to be thick, the rest of the eruption some time ago," said Dwikorita, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, May 14.

According to him, the pouring rain mixed with fine sand particles made the thick flow capable of transporting a truck, pouring rocks with a diameter of 2-3 meters from the top of the mountain to the bottom.

The thing that BMKG is worried about is that; the large material disbursement carried by the rain will also reach residential areas around hilly slopes and river flows.

Based on a report from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) received by the BMKG, it reported that there were 28 lava lines from Mount Marapi that originated in the river on the North, South and East sides of the volcano, including the Agam Regency, Tanah Datar, Padang Panjang which were in direct contact.

"Because the river surface is already full of deposits from previous lava floods, the potential to reach the villages is also large," he said.

Dwikorita ensured that his party would always report weather conditions every day and as soon as possible issue disaster early warning information with the accuracy of the next three hours before the incident, so it is hoped that the community and joint officers will take quick steps to evacuate themselves.

"Our recommendation is to immediately secure zones prone to residential areas, roads, bridges, because aftershocks are very likely to occur if it is still raining," he said.

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported a number of sub-districts in Agam, Tanah Datar, and Padang Panjang Regencies that were hit by flash floods mixed with lava material on Saturday night.

The disaster was reported to have caused quite serious damage. Data from the West Sumatra SAR Office reported that as of Monday at 13.00 WIB, there were 50 victims of lava floods.

The number of victims who died in this disaster was recorded from Agam Regency, Tanah Datar, Padang Panjang City and Padang Pariaman.