[REVISION HISTORY]

Flash floods and recovery in West Sumatra

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2026-10-26 23:43 UTC → 2026-10-27 21:21 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In mid-September 2026, heavy rainfall triggered a series of flash floods across West Sumatra, Indonesia. On September 18, flooding from the Aek Koronok and Batang Jember Tonang Raya rivers struck Pasaman Regency, affecting 55 households and leaving one person missing. On September 21, a severe flash flood, locally known as a ‘galodo’, caused by the overflow of the Batang Barus River struck the Arosuka area in Solok Regency. This disaster resulted in two deaths and several injuries, leaving 542 residents displaced in evacuation centers as of October 2. Property damage in Solok included dozens of damaged or submerged houses and severed bridges, with eleven government buildings damaged; three of these, including the local DPRD and PUPR offices, were deemed too unstable for repair. Following the disaster, the Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources recommended the gradual relocation of the Solok Regency Government office complex in Arosuka. Lana Saria, Head of the Geological Agency, stated that relocation should become a “medium- to long-term mitigation priority” if assessments confirm the location sits on a main flow path. Recovery and mitigation efforts have intensified through October. ~~In Solok, authorities have begun river normalization, including dredging~~ Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo has ordered the ~~Batang Baliang and Koto Gaek rivers,~~ acceleration of check dam construction in West Sumatra to filter heavy materials like wood and ~~have proposed~~ stones from upstream. Additionally, the ~~construction~~ Directorate General of three sabo dams. In Padang, efforts have focused on restoring drinking water supply systems and distributing aid. In Pesisir Selatan, a 14-day emergency status was declared following landslides and floods affecting over 4,400 people. Water Resources has been instructed to inspect the upper reaches of the Batang Tapan River for potential natural dams formed by landslide debris. On October 25, the government announced a three-year reconstruction plan (2026–2028) to address the impact of disasters across Sumatra. Under the direction of the Sumatra Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Task Force, led by Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, the government is prioritizing the normalization of 137 rivers to prevent recurring floods caused by high sedimentation.

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