Hit by Floods and Landslides, West Sumatra Declares a Two-Week State of Emergency

PADANG, KOMPAS — The West Sumatra Provincial Government has declared a state of emergency in response to various disasters caused by extreme weather in several regions over the past week. At least 13 areas in West Sumatra have been affected by disasters, ranging from floods, flash floods, landslides, to strong winds.

The emergency response status was established through the Governor's Decree Number: 360-761-2025 concerning the Declaration of Emergency Response Status for Natural Disaster Floods, Flash Floods, Landslides, and Strong Winds in the Province of West Sumatra for the Year 2025. This decision is effective from November 25 to December 8, 2025, and may be extended.

"With 13 regencies/cities in West Sumatra affected, this condition serves as a strong basis for the provincial government to declare a disaster emergency status at the provincial level," said West Sumatra Regional Secretary Arry Yuswandi, in a press release on Wednesday (26/11/2025).

Arry stated that the establishment of a provincial-level emergency response status is necessary to ensure that all regional apparatus can work more quickly, in a coordinated manner, and flexibly, especially in mobilizing logistics, heavy equipment, and human resources.

"Furthermore, the establishment of this status also serves as the basis for proposing ready-to-use fund assistance (DSP) from BNPB, allowing for handling to be carried out without administrative obstacles," he said.

During the state of emergency, the West Sumatra Provincial Government prioritized seven handling steps, namely a rapid assessment of the situation and the needs for disaster emergency response, activation of the disaster emergency response command system, including the preparation of an operational plan while considering the contingency plan that had previously been established.

Subsequently, the evacuation of threatened communities, the fulfillment of basic needs for the community, the protection of vulnerable groups, the control of sources of disaster threats, and the preparation and distribution of logistical assistance.

"We must ensure that the entire handling process runs quickly and accurately. The synergy between the BPBD, the Social Service, BMCKTR, the military/police, and the district/city government is the key to success on the ground," he stated.

The provincial government has also designated the West Sumatra BPBD Office in Padang City as the Emergency Response Post as well as the Provincial Command Center. At this location, all information, coordination of field operations, and reporting of disaster events will be collected and synchronized.

"The post at the BPBD will serve as the main control point. All developments in the situation will be coordinated from there to ensure that the response is faster, more directed, and under a single command," said Arry.

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

In Padang, for instance, heavy rain over the past six days has caused flooding in nine sub-districts, namely Koto Tangah, Nanggalo, Padang Utara, Lubuk Begalung, Pauh, Kuranji, Padang Barat, Padang Timur, and Bungus Teluk Kabung. The Disaster Management Operations Control Center of the Padang City BPBD reported that 27,433 people have been affected by the flooding.

"The rain that occurred on Tuesday (25/11/2025) early in the morning caused flooding everywhere, affecting tens of thousands of residents," said the Head of the Padang City BPBD, Hendri Zulviton, in a press release from the Padang Diskominfo, Tuesday (25/11/2025) evening.

The worst flooding occurred in Koto Tangah, affecting 20,983 residents. Next, in Nanggalo, there were 2,232 people; Padang Utara 1,486 people; Lubuk Begalung 893 people; Pauh 741 people; and Kuranji 601 people. In Padang Barat, there were 321 people; Padang Timur 150 people; and Bungus Teluk Kabung had 26 people.

The hydrometeorological disaster that struck Padang also damaged residents' homes and several infrastructures. Two houses were swept away, 61 houses were moderately damaged, 17 houses were lightly damaged, one place of worship was lightly damaged, two road locations experienced landslides, and two rice field plots were severely damaged.

Previously, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) warned of the potential for extreme weather that could trigger hydrometeorological disasters in West Sumatra. BMKG identified the presence of Tropical Cyclone Seed 95 B since November 21, 2025, in the eastern waters of the Malacca Strait near Aceh.

This condition has triggered patterns of wind/air mass meetings in West Sumatra, along with a negative Ocean Dipole Index (IOD), thereby increasing the supply of water vapor and humidity. As a result, the atmosphere has become unstable, leading to the development of thick and extensive rain clouds, which has caused heavy rainfall with long durations in West Sumatra over the past week.

Based on the developments in the actual atmospheric dynamics, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) urges the public to enhance their vigilance. "The potential for extreme weather is predicted to still occur until November 29, 2025, particularly in the form of heavy to extreme rain that may be accompanied by strong winds in most areas of West Sumatra," said the Head of the Minangkabau Meteorological Station, Desindra Deddy Kurniawan, on Wednesday.

The increase in the potential for early rain growth and the activity of Mount Marapi, according to Desindra, raises the likelihood of extreme weather events that could lead to hydrometeorological disasters in West Sumatra, such as flooding, slippery roads, fallen trees, landslides, flash floods, and lahar floods from Mount Marapi.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has urged the public to continue enhancing their preparedness for the potential hydrometeorological disasters that may occur in the regencies/cities in West Sumatra, including the Mentawai Islands, West Pasaman, Agam, Tanah Datar, Padang Panjang, Padang Pariaman, Pasaman, Padang, South Pesisir, and surrounding areas.

"The community is also urged to always recognize disaster-prone areas, update weather information before engaging in activities, seek safe locations in the event of heavy and prolonged rainfall, and consistently follow the instructions of officials and relevant disaster management agencies," he said.