In a tragic turn of events, relentless monsoon rains have triggered catastrophic flash floods and landslides across North Sumatra, Indonesia, resulting in the loss of at least 10 lives and leaving six others unaccounted for. The National Police reported on Wednesday that rescue operations are underway in six regencies of the province, where rivers have overflowed, inundating villages and causing widespread destruction. The hardest-hit areas include Sibolga, where five bodies and three injured individuals have been recovered, and Central Tapanuli, where a family of four perished in a landslide. Nearly 2,000 homes and buildings have been submerged, displacing thousands of residents. The disaster has also uprooted trees, destroyed infrastructure, and blocked major roads, further complicating rescue efforts. Emergency shelters have been established, and authorities are urging residents in high-risk zones to evacuate immediately. The situation remains dire as continued rainfall threatens to exacerbate the crisis. Indonesia, an archipelago of 17,000 islands, is no stranger to such calamities, with heavy seasonal rains from October to March frequently causing flooding and landslides. This latest disaster underscores the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies in the region.
Landslides and flash floods on Indonesia’s Sumatra island leave at least 10 dead and 6 missing
