Cultural Heritage Affected By Flash Floods, Ministry Of Transportation Quickly Identify Damage

Head of BPK Region III West Sumatra, Nurmatias, directly led the handover of aid in two stages to various affected points. (IST)

The Indonesian Ministry of Culture moved quickly not only to distribute humanitarian aid, but also to identify damage to Cultural Conservation after flash floods and landslides or galodos hit a number of areas in West Sumatra. Assistance is distributed through the Region III Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) which has been in the field since the beginning of the week.

Head of BPK Region III West Sumatra, Nurmatias, directly led the handover of aid in two stages to various affected points. "We express our concern and deep concern over the galodo disaster that befell the community," he said Thursday, November 11.

The assistance was delivered through the West Sumatra BPBD Post and includes basic needs, cleaning equipment, basic medical equipment, and logistical support for Agam, Padang Pariaman, and Pesisir Selatan. BPK Region III also distributed direct assistance to Padang City, Solok Regency, and Tanah Datar.

However, the biggest impact was not only felt by residents. A number of cultural heritages were also damaged. BPK Region III reported that the graves, surau, and mosques with cultural heritage status, as well as the Batubara Mining World Heritage Railroad Ombilin Sawahlunto, were also affected.

The results of the review found two landslide points that cut off the geared railroad tracks, as well as damage to the bridge foundation above Batang Anai River, Anai Valley, Tanah Datar. In the field, the caretakers have carried out initial cleaning of the tombs and surau which are buried by flood material.

For damaged rail trains, the Ministry of Education and Culture will coordinate with the Padang Class II Railway Engineering Center, the Directorate General of Railways, and the Ministry of PUPR. "The handling steps must be precise and careful," said Nurmatias.

This emergency response effort is the initial stage of saving cultural heritage so that the historical and world heritage values in West Sumatra are maintained in the midst of major disasters that occur.