Public Works Minister orders flood mitigation in West Sumatra

Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo has ordered the acceleration of check dam construction in West Sumatra to mitigate the risk of recurring flash floods. Following recent disasters in Padang and Pesisir Selatan, the Minister emphasized that these dams are designed to filter out heavy materials such as wood and stones from upstream, preventing them from reaching residential areas.

In addition to infrastructure development, the Minister has instructed the Directorate General of Water Resources to inspect the upper reaches of the Batang Tapan River. This inspection aims to identify potential natural dams formed by landslide debris, which could burst and cause further flooding during heavy rainfall.

While the Batang Tapan River falls outside the central government's direct authority, the Ministry of Public Works is coordinating with the West Sumatra provincial government to design river management systems tailored to local needs. These efforts align with directives from President Prabowo Subianto to implement long-term, resilient infrastructure rather than temporary disaster relief.