Tragedy has struck Indonesia's Sumatra Island, where at least ten people have lost their lives and several others are missing following devastating flash floods and landslides.
The disaster, which unfolded on Tuesday, November 25, was triggered by torrential seasonal monsoon rains, causing river banks to burst and sending debris tearing through villages.
Rescue Efforts and Impacted Areas
Rescue teams have been working tirelessly to reach affected areas in North Sumatra province, but their operations have been severely hampered by continuing bad weather and dangerous mudslides.
The force of the water and landslides was so powerful that it uprooted trees, with one such incident claiming a life in South Tapanuli district.
In the city of Sibolga, rescuers have already recovered five bodies and evacuated three injured individuals. The neighbouring Central Tapanuli district reported four fatalities.
Official Response and Ongoing Danger
Sibolga police chief Eddy Inganta confirmed that emergency shelters have been established for those displaced by the disaster. Authorities are urgently advising residents in high-risk zones to evacuate their homes immediately to ensure their safety.
This catastrophic event highlights the perennial threat faced by Indonesia during its rainy season, which typically runs from October to March and frequently causes severe flooding and landslides across the archipelago.
Adding to the sombre context, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency officially ended relief efforts in two areas of Java island on the very same day this new disaster began, following a separate landslide incident that killed 38 people.
