Post by : Rameen Ariff

Torrential rains triggered deadly flash floods and landslides on Indonesia’s Sumatra island, killing at least 10 people and leaving six missing, officials said Wednesday. The heavy rains caused rivers to overflow in six regencies of North Sumatra province, sweeping through villages with mud, rocks, and debris, damaging homes and infrastructure.

Rescue teams have been working hard in the worst-hit areas, including the city of Sibolga, where five bodies and three injured people have been recovered so far. Authorities are still searching for four villagers reported missing. In Central Tapanuli district, landslides destroyed several homes and caused the death of at least four family members, while nearly 2,000 houses were flooded.

Other affected areas include South Tapanuli, where falling trees killed one person and injured another, and Mandailing Natal, where a bridge was destroyed and 470 houses were submerged. On Nias island, mud and debris blocked a main road, making rescue efforts more difficult.

Videos shared on social media show rushing floodwaters flowing over rooftops as residents quickly seek safety. In some locations, flash floods rose rapidly, turning streets into dangerous rivers carrying heavy debris.

Sibolga’s police chief, Eddy Inganta, said emergency shelters have been set up and urged people living in high-risk zones to evacuate immediately. He warned that more landslides could occur due to ongoing heavy rainfall. Rescue operations are challenging due to bad weather and unstable terrain, limiting access to some areas.

These recent floods and landslides happened just as the National Disaster Mitigation Agency ended relief efforts in two regions of Java island, where landslides triggered by heavy rains killed 38 people in October and early November. The agency highlighted the dangers of unstable ground and bad weather for rescue teams and local residents.

Indonesia regularly faces floods and landslides during its rainy season, which lasts from October to March. The country’s mountainous geography and dense population living near floodplains make it vulnerable to such natural disasters every year. Authorities continue their efforts to help affected communities and prevent further loss of life.

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