West Sumatra Police Bans Riders From Crossing The Anai Valley

Air portraits of a number of heavy equipment cleaning and working on the national road were badly damaged due to overflowing water from the Batang Anai River in Tanah Datar Regency. (Between/Fandi Yogari).

The West Sumatra Regional Police (West Sumatra) has banned all motorists from Padang to Bukittinggi crossing Lembah Anai road which is being repaired after being hit by flash floods.

This is in line with the announcement made by the West Sumatra Provincial Government which closed the road because it is still under repair after the flash flood disaster on Saturday (11/5).

"We ask motorists not to cross the road in Anai Valley for their own safety and security," said Head of Public Relations of the West Sumatra Police, Kombes Dwi Sulystiawan, as reported by ANTARA, Saturday, May 25.

Some time ago, it was still found that there were motorists who were determined to cross the local area even though they were working on heavy equipment.

He asked for public understanding because the closure was carried out to ensure the safety of road users, as well as provide opportunities for the construction of infrastructure that was badly damaged.

Since being hit by flash floods on Saturday (11/5) the national road connecting Padang and Bukittinggi was completely cut off because more than half of the road in the local location was flooded.

As a result, motorists who come from Padang to Bukittinggi via Padangpanjang or vice versa cannot pass at all.

The closure and repair of the road is expected to restore the function of Jalan Lembah Anai to normal, so that the mobility of residents and economic activities are smooth again.

The police have prepared a traffic diversion plan to reduce the impact of the road closure of Lembah Anai on community activities.

He mentioned that alternative routes available for motorists who want to go from Padang City to Bukittinggi can be via Malalak, Kelok 44, and Sitinjak Lauik.

"There are alternative routes that have been prepared, and we have placed personnel at several points to regulate traffic," he explained.

The police appealed to the public to always follow the instructions and directions from officers in the field.

In addition, Dwi Sulistyawan also reminded the public to remain vigilant and always monitor the latest information regarding road conditions and alternative routes provided.

The public can access the latest information from the Police through the official mass media and social media belonging to the West Sumatra Police.