Jakarta, Jan. 5 -- Severe flooding has once again hit Indonesia's West Sumatra province, triggered by extremely heavy rainfall combined with serious damage to upstream areas and drainage systems following devastating floods in late November last year, according to Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

Rainfall recorded at the Teluk Bayur Maritime Meteorological Station in Padang city on January 2 exceeded 159 mm, a level classified as extreme. Meanwhile, the Minangkabau Meteorological Station and the West Sumatra Climatology Station, both located in Padang Pariaman district, also recorded very heavy rainfall, approaching the extreme threshold of 150 mm in a single day.

Prolonged heavy rains have caused many ...