The Facts of West Sumatra Hydrometeorological Disaster

Floods and landslides hit three provinces in Sumatra. West Sumatra is the one. The hydrometeorological disaster was particularly severe and had complex impacts. At this time, the environmental exploitation issues have become the spotlight after the West Sumatra hydrometeorological disaster. So, the causing factor is not only the natural factor.

West Sumatra Hydrometeorological Disaster

West Sumatra was hit by floods and landslides. These extreme disasters happened after heavy rain for several days. Flash floods came from upstream areas toward residential areas. Strong currents submerged homes and public facilities. Along with it, landslides also struck and buried villages.

The infrastructure is also damaged. The road and bridge are also damaged. The access from Padang City to Bukittinggi is disconnected because the connecting road was flooded. Evacuation and recovery processes become ineffective due to damaged infrastructure. Electricity, communications, and internet networks were cut off.

The Combination Factors of Disaster

A combination of natural factors and human activity causes the extreme hydrometeorological disaster in West Sumatra. These combination factors are very extreme.

1. Early Cyclone 95B and Cyclone Senyar

The first factor of extreme disasters is extreme weather. It occurred after heavy rainfall in several days. The trigger was Cyclone Senyar, which brought moderate to heavy rainfall. Cyclone Senyar evolved from early Cyclone 95B, which formed in the Strait of Malacca.

2. Illegal Logging

Deforestation is a growing issue of natural exploitation. One goal is to harvest timber for sale. However, widespread illegal logging practices lead to excessive felling of trees. This is what is happening in the forests of Sumatra, causing flash floods. Numerous logs are seen amidst the floodwaters.

This is due to the reduced number of trees resulting from the conversion of large areas of forest to other uses. Water catchment areas are reduced, and soil structure is weakened.

3. Illegal Mining

The next target is deforestation for illegal mining. It causes risks because of the uncontrolled use of land. This activity causes changes in soil structure and has the potential to cause pollution as a side effect. The habitat of flora and fauna is threatened. The potential of flooding and landslides is increasing.

4. Environmental Degradation

Environmental degradation causes the West Sumatra hydrometeorological disaster. Forest damage occurs in areas with steep topography. So, the water absorption capacity upstream has decreased drastically. Consequently, rainwater was not absorbed optimally and flowed directly downstream in a strong current. This current carried various materials, such as mud, wood, and chunks of earth.

5. River Silting

River capacity significantly impacts flooding. Rivers, as channels for flow and rainwater storage, must be preserved. River silting causes the drainage system to be less effective, so that rivers easily overflow and cause flooding.

The Complex Impacts

The terrible floods and landslides have had complex impacts. Like other regions, several complex impacts hit West Sumatra.

1. Fatalities and Injuries

The large number of victims in West Sumatra indicates that the disaster was very extreme. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) updates the data of victims. Based on the temporary data, a total of 969 fatalities from three provinces consist of 252 missing and approximately 5,000 injured. There are 238 fatalities, and 93 people are missing in West Sumatra.

2. Damage to Loss of Residence

The disaster left victims homeless. The residential areas are destroyed by soil, mud, wood, and materials. From the three affected provinces, a total of 158,000 houses were damaged. This situation is extremely worrying after the enormous material losses, which require relocation.

3. Declining Economic Level

After the disaster, the lands in West Sumatra were affected by floods and landslides. Many people lost their jobs and livelihoods. Offices were also damaged, even buried, requiring time to restore. These conditions have depressed the economy.

4. Infrastructure Damage

The infrastructure was totally damaged after the floods and landslides. Both physical and non-physical facilities can’t be used anymore. Access to convey and disaster recovery is hampered.

Land transportation was hampered because roads were blocked by debris, mud, and logs. Bridges were destroyed. Access to clean water was very limited due to the murky water after the disaster. The water was contaminated with mud, sewage, and garbage.

Fuel and electricity, as energy infrastructure, were also unavailable. Communication and internet networks were disrupted. Public facilities were also damaged, with many buried under the ground.

5. Hunger and Health Problems

Aid distribution has been blocked by damaged infrastructure. Access to the affected areas is extremely difficult, and some areas remain isolated. Another obstacle is the lack of fuel supplies. This has led to hunger and health problems.

6. Environmental Damage and Ecosystem Damage

This devastating disaster caused environmental damage. The relationship is reciprocal. Floods and landslides, partly caused by deforestation, in turn caused forest destruction due to the strong currents and landslide pile. River flow paths have also been altered. Related to this, the ecosystems of flora and fauna in the forest have also been damaged. Their habitats have been worsened by the disaster.

The combination of factors that led to the West Sumatra hydrometeorological disaster requires attention. It was the terrible disasters that left a disturbing mark on history. Besides the evacuation and post-disaster recovery, disaster warning systems need to be further improved.

Extreme weather predictions must be followed up with rapid and comprehensive emergency signals sent to all communities in vulnerable areas. An emergency message is also needed as an effective warning signal, besides alarms or sirens. By this message, comprehensive information about potential disasters can be delivered and urges people to evacuate before a disaster happens.

It can be realized by providing an emergency message-sending machine based on SMS (Short Message Service). This specific machine has a wide range of up to 2 km and can send messages to mobile phones of all operators. This product is available at smsbroadcaster.com.