"We have taken steps to secure land routes along certain points prone to landslides..."
Padang (ANTARA News) - At least 16 national and provincial roads in West Sumatra are vulnerable to landslides, so the public needs to be extra careful while traveling during in the ongoing holy month, according to officials.

"We have taken steps to secure land routes along certain points prone to landslides and have already taken preparations by providing heavy equipment," Head of the Housing and Infrastructure Office of West Java Suprapto told ANTARA News here on Thursday.

He explained that heavy road construction equipment has been placed in landslide prone areas, since heavy rains occur frequently.

According to Suprapto, heavy equipment is needed in order to assure prompt action is taken in the event of a landslide.

Suprapto added that those travelers heading home should be assured that their routes will remain clear and if a landslide occurs, quick action should prevent long lines of cars and trucks from forming.

Moreover, he urges travelers to be cautious while passing certain land routes in national West Sumatra, including Padang-Lubuh Selasih, Solok Regency, Kembar-Muaro Labuh Lake, Litter W area in South Solok, Padang-Painan Regency of South Coast, Painan-Batang Kapeh route, and Tapan-Kerinci Jambi.

Suprapto also said that during the ongoing holiday travel period, Sitinjau Laut (Padang-Solok) route would put in place an open-close road system as part of the system to protect against landslides.
(Uu.LPW/INE/KR-BSR/F001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012