Indonesia’s North Sumatra province has been hit by heavy rains in recent days, triggering floods and secondary disasters such as landslides. As of Thursday morning, the natural disasters have resulted in the death of 34 people with another 52 missing. Authorities have stated that rescue operations are being hampered due to the complete disruption of local roads and communication networks.
According to media reports, Abdul Muhari, a spokesperson for Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency, said on Thursday that as many as 8,000 people in various areas of North Sumatra have been urgently evacuated. With mountain roads blocked by landslides, relief supplies and logistical support are currently being delivered via helicopters.
Yuyun Karseno, an official from the North Sumatra branch of the Disaster Management Agency, pointed out that the situation is most severe in Sibolga and Central Tapanuli areas, where both communication and power supply have been cut off.
On Thursday morning, floods destroyed a bridge in Padang, West Sumatra province, cutting off transportation between Padang Pariaman and Kuranji districts.
Images and photos released by the Disaster Management Agency depict raging waters causing havoc, destroying numerous buildings along the way. Rescue teams are seen navigating orange lifeboats to search for residents trapped in flooded homes.
The Indonesian Meteorological Agency reported that a rare tropical cyclone swept through Sumatra Island, leading to a rise in water levels in the adjacent Malacca Strait, thus triggering floods and landslides. Due to the impact of extreme weather, it is expected that several provinces in Sumatra, including Aceh and Riau, will experience additional floods over the next two days.
This Indonesian flood is one of a series of natural disasters that have struck Southeast Asia this week. Floods in Thailand and Malaysia have claimed the lives of over thirty people, with water levels in some areas rising to the extent of submerging hospitals.