Five People Died in Flash Floods in Padang City

PADANG, KOMPAS — At least five people have died as a result of being swept away by flash floods in Koto Tangah District, Padang City, West Sumatra, on Thursday (27/11/2025) morning. Officials are still working to evacuate residents and vehicles buried under flood debris at the site.

The Koto Tangah Subdistrict Head, Fizlan Setiawan, stated on Thursday that the five victims included four residents of Lubuk Minturun Village and one resident of Batipuh Panjang Village. The victims died as a result of being trapped under 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 crushed," said Fizlan.

Fizlan has not yet been able to explain the identities of the five victims. Officers are currently collecting data and verifying information in the field. In addition to these five victims, approximately 15,000 residents have been affected by the floods and flash floods that are spread across nearly all neighborhoods in Koto Tangah.

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 clear mud and other debris left by the flood.

Downstream, in Kampung Apa, Koto Panjang Ikua Koto, also experienced flash floods from the Lubuk Minturun River. The dam in that village broke, causing the river's flow to strike the village and the subsidized housing complex of Abi Koto Panjang.

The river water remains high, brown, and swift on Thursday afternoon. Several buildings and houses are still being eroded by the river water. Measurements taken using Google Earth indicate that the land eroded by the river is approximately 100 meters.

Preliminary data from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Padang City indicates that extreme weather on Thursday (27/11/2025) caused flooding at 14 locations, flash floods at 12 locations, landslides at 7 locations, fallen trees at 20 locations, and whirlwinds at 2 locations. However, BPBD has not yet reported the total number of casualties.

Fajar (30), a resident of Block A Luminpark Cluster, stated that the floodwaters came from upstream and spread to the housing area around 05:30 WIB. The water mixed with mud entered the houses to a height of nearly one meter.

"The flood level in the house is up to the waist. We saved ourselves on the second floor," said Fajar, who has been living in the house with his father, mother, older brother, nephew, and uncle since 2016.

According to Fajar, prior to this incident, the residential area had been affected by rain over the past week. During that rain, the houses had never been flooded. However, he admitted that he often heard the roar of the river during the rain. On Thursday morning, a flash flood struck.

As a result of the flash flood, Fajar's house is still buried under debris of mud, sand, and wood. One of his cars is buried in the house, while another car was swept away by the flood. Fajar and his family are temporarily taking refuge at his sister's clinic in the city center.

"Two local residents, who lived outside the complex, died as a result of this incident," Fajar added.

Meanwhile, Ruri Putra Kurniawan (42), a tofu factory owner in Kampung Apa, Koto Panjang Ikua Koto, stated that the river overflowed at 05:00 with a height of 1.5 meters on the road. At that time, he and two of his workers were making tofu.

According to Ruri, the flood receded a few hours later. However, the river's water level rose again at 10:00 AM. The BPBD officers also warned residents to leave the area.

“At 10:30, the second wave of water shot down from above (upstream). Everything was gone. My tofu factory, houses, and other buildings were all swept away by the flash flood,” he said.

In addition to sweeping away structures, Ruri stated that the flash flood in Kampung Apa resulted in two fatalities and four residents being swept away. "The four residents have not yet been found," he said.