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South Tapanuli hit by flash flood, 10 injured
Heavy rains have led to flash floods in South Tapanuli, affecting hundreds of families and prompting emergency evacuations. Local authorities are working to assist residents in disaster recovery efforts.
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Wooden logs litter the road on Dec. 18, 2024, in Kota Tua village in Tano Tombangan Angkola district, South Tapanuli regency, North Sumatra, after a flash flood. The flash flood injured 10 people. (Kompas.com/South Tapanuli BPBD)
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eavy flooding impacted several villages in the Tano Tombangan Angkola and Batang Angkola districts of South Tapanuli regency, North Sumatra on Wednesday.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said that about 495 families had been affected by the flooding, which resulted in injuries to 10 individuals.
Around 250 families were forced to evacuate to temporary shelters, including the Somaninggir Posyandu (integrated health post), the GPA Church in Kota Tua village in Tano Tombangan Angkola district and Hasadaon Palace in Batang Angkola district.
Pandapotan Panggabean, a resident from Kota Tua village, shared the terrifying moment when floodwater surged into his community, carrying large logs, sand, mud and stones.
"It was raining heavily when suddenly water flooded into homes and streets," he recounted on Thursday, as quoted by Kompas.
He described how quickly the water rose and flowed with tremendous force.
"In my house, the mud is over a meter deep," he said. Thankfully, he and his family managed to escape.
"However, I fear that many homes and buildings have suffered serious damage."
Currently, Pandapotan and other residents are seeking refuge in emergency shelters as their homes are no longer livable.
BNPB Center for Data, Information and Disaster Communication head Abdul Muhari said some areas experienced mud depths of up to 50 centimeters. Cleanup operations are ongoing with the help of residents and village officials.
"We are working together to clear the debris," Abdul said on Thursday, as quoted by Tempo.
Abdul also mentioned that the South Tapanuli Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has coordinated efforts with local authorities to help with residents and mitigate further impacts. "Currently, power outages have been reported in affected areas, but water levels are gradually receding," he said, as quoted by Tempo.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) said North Sumatra was expected to experience moderate to heavy rainfall during this period. The BMKG warned that increased rainfall may be accompanied by strong winds across the western and southern regions of Indonesia.
This weather pattern is linked to a strengthening of the Asian monsoon. Additionally, a weak La Niña phenomenon could increase rainfall because of interactions with the Madden-Julian oscillation and equatorial waves over the next week.
