Sumatra weather warnings prompt railway safety measures

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued warnings for several provinces on Sumatra Island, forecasting rain ranging from light to heavy intensity. Regions including Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Riau, Riau Islands, Jambi, Bangka Belitung, Bengkulu, and Lampung are under alert for potential thunderstorms, strong winds, flooding, and landslides.

In response to the rainy season and potential extreme weather, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) Regional Division I North Sumatra has implemented risk mitigation strategies to ensure passenger safety. These preventive measures include repairing drainage systems near tracks to prevent soil erosion and flooding, as well as pruning trees that pose a risk of falling onto railway lines. Specifically, KAI has constructed 1,650 meters of new drainage channels between Bajalinggei and Siantar stations to maintain track stability.