West Sumatra told to raise alertness

Syofiardi Bachyul Jb , The Jakarta Post , Padang Sat, 11/22/2008 12:55 PM The Archipelago
West Sumatra Governor Gamawan Fauzi has prompted 91 districts across the province to raise their disaster alert levels until December over threats of landslides, flooding and high tides.
The warning was issued in conjunction with weather forecasts indicating heavy rainfall will hit West Sumatra from November to December this year.
"We have reminded regents and mayors in disaster-prone areas to put their Disaster Response Units on 24-hour standby," Gamawan said Friday.
Last week Gamawan issued letters naming districts at potential risk of the disasters to 12 regents and mayors of Solok, Agam, Bukittinggi, Padangpariaman, Padang, Sijunjung, Limapuluh Kota, Tanah Datar, Padangpanjang, Pasaman Barat, Pasaman and Pesisir Selatan.
Head of the preparedness division at the West Sumatra National Unity and Social Protection Agency, Ade Edward, said residents of the 91 districts, especially those living along riverbanks, had been told to monitor and clear rivers of potential obstacles.
"It has come to light that a recent flash flood in East Malalak, Agam regency, that claimed six lives, was caused by the river's flow being clogged by fallen trees and other material," Ade said.
He said the areas included on the list should raise their alert levels and be particularly vigilant toward the end of the year.
"The risk will be greater the closer to the year's end, because the rainy season will be three months old by then, and cliff areas will have definitely become saturated, thus triggering more frequent and larger landslides," he said.