WEST SUMATRA — Flash floods hit a number of areas in West Sumatra on Saturday (5/11/2024) night. The affected areas include Agam Regency, Tanah Datar Regency, and Padang Panjang City. The high intensity of rainfall is suspected to be the trigger for the water disaster. This also happened in five sub-districts in Tanah Datar Regency, namely X Koto District, Batipuh District, Pariangan District, Lima Kaum District, and Tarab River District.
Dompet Dhuafa through its disaster management unit, Disaster Management Center (DMC), immediately provided assistance in the flood-affected areas on Sunday (12/5/2024) night. This action also involved a team from Dompet Dhuafa Singgalang Branch along with Dompet Dhuafa Volunteer (DDV) West Sumatra volunteers. This humanitarian action area is centered in Jorong Pagu-Pagu, Nagari Pandai Sikek, X Koto District, Tanah Datar Regency.
The efforts made by the team commanded by DMC Dompet Dhuafa include assessing the affected area, coordinating with related parties, joining the volunteer team at the location, searching for affected victims, and establishing a Warm Post.
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Firdaus, one of Dompet Dhuafa’s DMC volunteers, reported directly from the affected location. He said, as of Sunday (5/12/2024) night, in the Jorong Pagu-Pagu area, there were 11 people affected by this flood disaster. He said that three people were killed. Meanwhile, there are three survivors with minor and severe injuries.
“With details of three people died, and three more survived, but were slightly and severely injured. Tonight, the search is still continuing because there are five more people who have not been found,” reported Firdaus.
In addition, referring to the assessment data of the Dompet Dhuafa DMC Team, it was recorded that in Jorong Pagu-Pagu there were 17 people displaced in their respective family residences which were considered safe from flooding. Meanwhile, flood water also damaged several public facilities and houses in this area. With details of 10 houses, 5 stalls, 1 Pondok Bersalin Desa (Polindes), mosques, and several other public facilities.
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Firdaus admitted that, in the early days of the response, the team still had problems moving. This was due to the blocked access roads. Several access roads to the location were buried by landslides, causing traffic jams. The same obstacles were also felt by other volunteers from various parties. As a result, the handling of rapid assistance and evacuation of affected residents has been hampered. Even so, the team will make every effort to overcome it by always coordinating with related parties.
According to the Head of the Center for Disaster Data, Information and Communication of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Abdul Muhari, as of Sunday (12/5/2024) at 19:05 WIB, flash floods that occurred in a number of West Sumatra regions (Agam Regency, Tanah Datar Regency, and Padang Panjang City) have resulted in 41 deaths.
“There are 19 in Agam, 15 Tanah Datar, and 7 Padang Panjang,” Muhari said, quoted from CNN Indonesia page, Sunday (12/5/2024).
In addition, due to the flash flood disaster which also brought large rock material from Mount Marapi, as many as 2,032 people were forced to evacuate. DMC Dompet Dhuafa condolences to the people who passed away due to the flash flood disaster in West Sumatra. Hopefully all good deeds during life can be accepted in the best place. And those left behind are given fortitude and strength by Allah Swt.
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Urgent needs are urgently needed by the survivors. These needs include ready-to-eat food, mats, blankets, mother and baby equipment, hygiene kits, and cleaning equipment.
Good friends, let’s close ranks to always provide prayers and assistance for survivors of the flash flood disaster that occurred in a number of areas of West Sumatra. May our brothers and sisters always be in the safety of Allah Swt. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text: Muhammad Afriza Ardha, Riza Muthohar
Photo: DMC Dompet Dhuafa
Editor: Dhika Prabowo