TANAH DATAR, WEST SUMATRA — Flash floods of cold lava (Galodo) hit several areas in West Sumatra on Saturday (5/11/2024). Galodo occurred in Agam, Tanah Datar, and Padang Panjang regencies. Meanwhile, floods occurred in Padang Pariaman, and landslides occurred in Padang.
Galodo itself is a term used by the Minangkabau people to name river flows accompanied by sediment (sand, gravel, stones, and water) in one package / unit at high speed or flood water. The Galodo that occurred in West Sumatra originated from rivers upstream of Mount Marapi. Mount Marapi itself is located in Tanah Datar Regency and Agam Regency.
The West Sumatra Provincial Government has declared a disaster emergency status until May 26, 2024. After the establishment of the West Sumatra Flash Flood, Lahar Cold, and Landslide Disaster Emergency Response Status on Monday (13/5/2024), Dompet Dhuafa’s Disaster Management Center (DMC) and Dompet Dhuafa Singgalang Branch continued to intensify search operations for missing victims of Galodo in a number of West Sumatra regions.
On Thursday (16/5/2024), DMC Dompet Dhuafa mobilized two teams to search for missing victims of flash floods. The first point was located in the Agam Regency area, precisely in Nagari Galuang, Sungai Pua District. Together with Basarnas and the Joint SAR Team, they went down the river that had not been touched before.
Meanwhile, in the Tanah Datar Regency area, the Dompet Dhuafa DMC Team carried out search operations in Nagari Parambahan, Lima Kaum District, together with Basarnas who joined the Joint SAR Team along the left side of the Perambahan River.
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Mida Dwi Nurlina, the person in charge of Dompet Dhuafa DMC’s West Sumatra Flash Flood and Landslide Response, said that DMC personnel will continue to assist in SAR operations.
“Regarding the emergency response status down from the Governor of West Sumatra Province, we continue to aggressively join in SAR operations with Basarnas. This is a priority action carried out by Basarnas and other parties during this emergency response status,” said Mida.
Most of the victims came from villages close to the river that flows upstream from Mount Marapi. The flash flood that carried rocks, often referred to as Galodo, hit the settlement at night, making it difficult for many people to save themselves.
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On Saturday (11/5/2024) evening, several areas in West Sumatra were showered with high intensity rain, while others were drizzled without stopping. Sunday night was gray, the rain did not stop. At 10 p.m., Galodo came down heavily in Agam and hit everything in its path. While in the Tanah Datar area, Galodo hit at 00.00 in the morning when many people in West Sumatra were asleep.
Based on Dompet Dhuafa DMC Situation Report data, up to now as many as 61 victims have died and 11 victims are still being sought. Dompet Dhuafa also continues to strive for various responses ranging from SAR, Warm Post, support team of joint volunteers, clean action and conduct Psychological First Aid (PFA) for children.
It is known that one of the impacts of the flash flood is that the main road connecting Padang and Bukittinggi is completely paralyzed. Among them is the Jambu River route. Along the river, there are several new buildings, such as rest areas, cafes, restaurants, and other family tourism centers. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photo: Anndini Dwi Putri, DMC
Editors: Dhika Prabowo, Ronna