Eight dead, 58 injured as floods and landslides hit North Sumatra, forcing 2,851 residents to evacuate amid extreme weather conditions.
NORTH SUMATRA: Torrential rains have triggered devastating floods and landslides across Indonesia’s Sumatra island, killing at least eight people.
Disaster officials confirmed 58 people were injured and 2,851 residents forced to evacuate their homes in Tapanuli Selatan district.
Extreme weather has battered North Sumatra for several days, with flooding beginning on Monday according to the national disaster agency BNPB.
“In Tapanuli Selatan, the disaster of floods and landslides has resulted in eight people losing their lives, 58 being injured, and 2,851 residents had to evacuate,” BNPB spokesman Abdul Muhari stated.
Heavy equipment has been deployed to clear debris blocking road access to the affected district.
At least three other districts in the province have also reported flooding and landslide incidents.
Weather authorities attribute the extreme conditions to cyclone seeds, formations with potential to develop into tropical cyclones.
Indonesia’s annual monsoon season typically brings heavy rains between June and September, often triggering landslides and flash floods.
Climate change has altered storm patterns, increasing rainfall intensity and duration according to meteorological experts.
This tragedy follows another deadly incident earlier this month where 38 people died in Central Java landslides with approximately 13 still missing. – AFP
