The Public Works and Spatial Planning (DPUPR) Office of Padang City responded quickly to the landslide that struck the Gunung Padang area, Batang Arau Sub-district, on Sunday (5/7) night. This swift action was taken to anticipate potential dangers for motorists, given that the landslide material had partially covered the road on a rather hazardous uphill section.
Head of the Padang City PUPR Office, Malvi Hendri, explained that his team immediately deployed heavy equipment to the scene shortly after receiving the report. The material evacuation process, carried out in collaboration with West Sumatra's BMCKTR, encountered some obstacles due to the presence of an affected community cemetery. Therefore, the field team worked with extra caution to ensure the cleanup proceeded smoothly without damaging the site.
The Head of Batang Arau Sub-district, Khosyi Mudhoffar, revealed that the disaster was triggered by heavy rainfall that had poured over the area since Sunday afternoon. Although the landslide covered half of the road, he confirmed that no residents were directly affected by the incident.
Currently, road access in the Gunung Padang area has returned to normal and traffic flow is fully smooth. The heavy equipment previously stationed at the location has been withdrawn, and the local government urges the public to remain vigilant, considering the soil contour characteristics in the hilly area which pose a risk of ground movement during extreme weather.
