Disaster in West Sumatra Leaves Nine Dead and Several Others Missing

PADANG, KOMPAS — At least nine people have died and several others are missing due to flash floods and landslides in West Sumatra. The government has reminded residents to remain vigilant as the intensity of extreme weather increases in West Sumatra.

"There are nine fatalities, consisting of five individuals in the flash flood in Padang, three individuals in the flash flood in Agam, and one individual in the landslide in Pasaman Barat," said the Spokesperson for the West Sumatra Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Ilham Wahab, on Thursday (27/11/2025) afternoon.

Flash floods in Padang occurred around the flow of the Lubuk Minturun River in the Koto Tangah District on Thursday morning. Flash floods in Agam took place in the Malalak District on Wednesday (26/11/2025) afternoon. Meanwhile, a landslide in Pasaman Barat occurred in the Ranah Batahan District yesterday.

Ilham added that the number of disaster victims may still increase as several other individuals have been reported missing. The joint Search and Rescue team is still searching for six victims in Padang, four victims in Agam, and missing individuals at other disaster sites.

The West Sumatra Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) recorded that there are 13 areas affected by wet hydrometeorological disasters in the past week, namely Padang Pariaman, Padang, South Pesisir, Agam, Tanah Datar, Solok Regency, Solok City, Pariaman, West Pasaman, Bukittinggi, Pasaman, Fifty Cities, and Padang Panjang.

According to Ilham, some of the 13 regions are experiencing recurrence or new disasters in line with the increasing intensity of extreme weather. West Sumatra has declared a state of emergency for natural disasters including floods, flash floods, landslides, and strong winds for a period of two weeks from November 25 to December 8, 2025.

"We urge the entire community to remain vigilant as extreme weather in West Sumatra has the potential to occur until November 29, 2025. In fact, there is a possibility that it may extend until December 2025," said Ilham.

Regarding the flash flood in Padang, Koto Tangah Subdistrict Head Fizlan Setiawan stated that five victims died, consisting of four residents from Lubuk Minturun Village and one resident from Batipuh Panjang Village. The deceased victims were crushed by debris from the flash flood.

"Our residents' houses are located on the riverbank. The sudden surge of water caused their houses to be swept away and they were trapped," said Fizlan.

In the Lubuk Minturun sub-district, the worst flash flood struck the Luminpark Cluster housing complex. The flow of the Lubuk Minturun River, located approximately 40 meters away, overflowed into the housing area, subsequently creating a new stream that divided the complex.

On Thursday afternoon, the water gradually receded, but dozens of houses were buried under 50 cm thick layers of mud, sand, and debris carried by the flash flood. Dozens of cars and motorcycles were also buried under the flood material.

Officers from various related agencies evacuated residents, belongings, and vehicles. Some officers also began to clean the environment of mud and other debris from the flood.

Areas downstream, namely Kampung Apa, Koto Panjang Ikua Koto Village, were also affected by flash floods from the Lubuk Minturun River. The dam in that village broke, causing the river's flow to strike the settlement and the subsidized housing complex of Abi Koto Panjang.

Our residents' houses are located on the riverbank. The sudden surge of water caused their houses to be swept away, and they were trapped.

The river's water flow remains strong, brown, and swift on Thursday afternoon. Several buildings and houses have been eroded by the river water. Measurements taken using the Google Earth application indicate that the land eroded by the river is approximately 100 meters.

According to preliminary data from the Padang City BPBD, extreme weather on Thursday has caused flooding at 14 locations, flash floods at 12 locations, landslides at 7 locations, fallen trees at 20 locations, and whirlwinds at 2 locations.