Hundreds Remain in Shelters After Floods Hit Indonesia’s North Sumatra

HOLOPIS.COM, JAKARTA – Hundreds of residents displaced by flooding in Central Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra, remain in temporary shelters weeks after heavy rains triggered widespread inundation.

“As of now, displaced residents are still staying at the HKBP Church in Sipange Village, Tukka District. A total of 145 houses have also been affected,” said Abdul Muhari, Head of Data, Information, and Disaster Communication at Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Holopis.com reported (22/7).

According to BNPB, the flooding has affected 236 people. Abdul said continued rainfall has caused the Arse River to overflow again after an embankment collapsed, forcing emergency responders to remain on alert.

Earlier this week, authorities reported that floodwaters in Hutanabolon, Central Tapanuli, had begun to recede after flash floods struck the area following days of intense rainfall.

“The flooding occurred after the river overflowed into residential areas,” Abdul said.

He added that water levels, which had reached approximately waist height, have gradually subsided, allowing residents to begin cleaning mud and debris from their homes through community-led efforts.

The floods affected seven villages and urban wards across the districts of Tukka, Badiri, Pinangsori, and Sarudik.

During the emergency, personnel from the Central Tapanuli Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), together with joint rescue teams, evacuated residents from the affected areas.