Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka called for expedited cleanup and tighter inter-agency coordination during a visit to disaster-hit Solok Regency in West Sumatra on Friday following deadly flash floods.
Flash floods struck Solok’s Arosuka district on Monday night, prompting local authorities to declare a 14-day emergency response period effective Sept. 22.
“Disaster management does not end when the water recedes,” Gibran told officials at the site. “Mud, sand, rocks, timber, and landslide debris must be cleared. Priority must be given to residential areas, roads, bridges, mosques, farmland, and public facilities.”
Gibran urged disaster management teams to streamline cross-agency efforts and maintain heightened vigilance against potential secondary landslides fueled by heavy rainfall.
“Strengthen coordination with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) and ensure residents in high-risk zones receive clear, timely alerts,” he added.
Highlighting Solok’s key role as a regional agricultural hub, the vice president emphasized the urgent rehabilitation of damaged farmland to safeguard local and national food supplies.
According to the Solok Regency Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), the floods left two people dead—including a missing person later recovered by search teams—and injured four others. At least 474 residents were evacuated to temporary shelters.
Preliminary damage assessments indicate 87 homes were impacted across the regency, with 52 sustaining minor damage, 16 moderately damaged, and 19 severely damaged.
Related news: DPR speaker urges stronger disaster mitigation after Solok flood
Related news: Solok-Padang highway closed after flash flood inundates region
Translator: Aditya Ramadhan, Kuntum Khaira Riswan
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Copyright © ANTARA 2026