Simpang Empat, W Sumatra (ANTARA) - A landslide struck the Polong Anam Nagari Talamau area of West Pasaman district, West Sumatra, around 10:20 a.m. local time on Saturday, cutting off transportation access completely.
"The landslide occurred around 10:20 (a.m. local time), and until this afternoon, the landslide material had not been cleaned up," Talamau Police chief, Adjunct Commissioner Junaidi, said at Simpang Empat on Saturday.
"The landslide material was about 15 meters and covered up the road, so transportation access to Jembatan Panjang Nagari Kajai was completely cut off," he informed.
Among the materials that blocked the road following the landslide were soil, stone, and wood, he added.
He said that, for the time being, he could not access the location of the landslide because there was a risk of more debris.
"We dare not approach the location. When we were surveying the place, there was a noise from the top of the hill, as if material was about to collapse. The hill also seemed to have cracked," he stated.
"We also urge drivers to remain alert when passing through hilly areas in Talu because (nobody knows) when (more) landslides will occur," he added.
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He informed that the agency has asked the government to immediately send excavators to clean the debris from the road.
Currently, Talamau sub-district is witnessing heavy rain, he said. “On top of that, the power went out after the landslide,” he added.
Meanwhile, the total blockage of transportation access from Talu to Timbo Abu Kajai has disrupted the process of aid distribution for victims, he said.
Due to the landslide, a car from the Pasaman Panti bringing aid for earthquake victims to the Timbo Abu Kajai Preparation Village has been delayed, he informed.
If this matter is not immediately taken care of, it would become a cause for concern as donors and volunteers would be too late in assisting victims, he said.
"We hope this will be handled immediately, and we also urge residents and drivers to be careful when crossing hilly areas and continue to (practice) caution," he added.
Meanwhile, acting chief executive of the West Pasaman Disaster Mitigation Agency, Azhar, said that the agency has asked the West Pasaman Public Works Office to send heavy equipment to the location.
"This crossing is the access for earthquake aid logistics from the Panti Pasaman direction," he informed.
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