“Nine rivers will be normalized across five sub-districts,” said Ofrizon, head of the Agam Public Works and Spatial Planning Office.
He said the rivers include Batang Nanggang in Palembayan Sub-district, Batang Agam in Baso, and Batang Katiak in Ampek Angkek.
The list also covers the Landia River in Ampek Koto, as well as the Batang Tumayo, Batang Balok, Muaro Pisang, Rangeh and Asam rivers in Tanjung Raya Sub-district.
“For the river normalization, we are being assisted by the Sumatra River Basin Agency V (BWS V),” Ofrizon said, referring to the regional authority responsible for water resources management.
He added that BWS V has deployed 13 units of heavy equipment to carry out the program.
The machinery is being used to remove sand and rocks along around one kilometer of affected river channels.
Officials said the sediment build-up resulted from flash floods that swept through the area, leaving deposits that reduced river capacity and increased the risk of water spilling into nearby communities.
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“The equipment is clearing materials so the rivers can return to their original condition, preventing them from overflowing onto the left and right banks and affecting residential areas,” Ofrizon said.
He said the removal work has so far reached about 30 percent completion and is targeted to finish by February 2026.
Ofrizon expressed hope that the project would be completed on schedule so communities along the rivers can be better protected from flooding.
West Sumatra is among Indonesia’s regions most prone to hydrometeorological disasters, including floods and landslides, particularly during the rainy season, which is often intensified by deforestation and changing weather patterns.
Local authorities say river normalization — restoring river channels by dredging and widening them — is a key part of broader mitigation efforts, alongside early warning systems and better land-use planning.
The Agam administration has urged residents living near rivers to remain vigilant during periods of heavy rain and to support ongoing public works aimed at strengthening flood resilience.
Once completed, officials expect the project to significantly improve water flow and reduce the likelihood of destructive overflows during future storms, helping safeguard homes, farmland and vital infrastructure in the district.
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Translator: Atlas, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2026
