At least 13 people have died and thousands have been displaced after torrential rains triggered widespread flooding and landslides across seven regions in Indonesia's North Sumatra province this week. The Provincial Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) confirmed the casualties on Wednesday, with nine fatalities reported in South Tapanuli Regency and four in Central Tapanuli Regency.
Continuous heavy rainfall between November 22 and 25 caused rivers to overflow, submerging residential areas and damaging critical infrastructure. Sri Wahyuni Pancasilawati, BPBD's head of emergency handling, stated that 37 people were injured and three remain missing in South Tapanuli alone, with assessment teams still evaluating the full impact in Central Tapanuli.
The disasters destroyed hundreds of homes, schools, and public facilities, forcing residents to seek temporary shelter. Local authorities have mobilized emergency response teams to deliver aid and conduct search operations in affected areas, including Sibolga, Mandailing Natal, and South Nias.
As climate patterns intensify across Southeast Asia, this disaster highlights growing challenges for regional disaster preparedness. Scientists warn that prolonged monsoon seasons could become more frequent, underscoring the need for adaptive infrastructure in vulnerable communities.
