Head of the Emergency Unit of the Provincial Disaster Management and Mitigation Agency Fajar Sukma said that heavy downpours on Thursday triggered the floods and landslides in 10 regencies and towns of the province, causing bridges to collapse and sweeping away houses.
The floods submerged roads, paralyzing transportation, and affected tens of thousands of houses, leading to evacuations, he said.
“In Pesisir Selatan regency one person was dead and nine others went missing, and in Pariaman regency two people were killed and another was missing,” he told Xinhua via phone.
“The floods began yesterday (Thursday), but now the waters have started receding,” Sukma added.
Aid and emergency relief efforts were undertaken not only by the agency but also by other government departments, according to him.
Food, blankets, medicine and other supplies have been flowing to the disaster-affected areas, he said.
RHM/
