Flash floods accompanied by landslides hit settlements in Simangulampe Village, Bakti Raja District, Humbang Hasundutan Regency, North Sumatra, on Friday (1/12) at around 21.30 WIB. As a result of this incident, at least 12 people were reported to have become victims.
Head of the Medan National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), Budiono, said one of the 12 people reported missing had been found dead.
“Until now, the joint SAR team is still carrying out search efforts. “We were informed that at 11.25 local time the victim, Boru Lubis, was found dead by the joint SAR team,” he told VOA, Saturday (2/12).
The village that was hit by flash floods and landslides was in the Lake Toba area. The victim who died was found on the shore of the largest lake in Southeast Asia.
“At a distance of approximately 500 meters from the location of the incident (the victim was found) precisely on the shore of Lake Toba,” said Budiono.
Currently the joint SAR team is still looking for 11 other people who disappeared after being hit by flash floods. The flash floods and landslides occurred after high intensity rain poured down the Humbang Hasundutan area for quite a long period. This condition then triggered flash floods which brought large boulders and debris in the form of tree trunks and twigs along with floodwater mixed with mud.
“The rain was heavy and took quite a long time, causing flash floods and landslides. “The information we got about flash floods and landslides was from the hills,” said Budiono.
In maximizing the search, he said that his party used a drone unit equipped with thermal reader technology to carry out aerial searches.
“There are 12 Basarnas members deployed with operational equipment and vehicles to facilitate searches at the location,” he explained.
Condition of residential areas in Simangulampe Village, Bakti Raja District, Humbang Hasundutan Regency, North Sumatra, on December 2 2023, after flash floods and landslides that struck the day before. (Photo: Courtesy of Medan SAR Office)
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued early weather warning information stating that moderate to high intensity rain which could be accompanied by lightning and strong winds could still potentially occur in the Humbang Hasundutan Regency area until Monday (4/12).
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) also appealed to all policy makers in the regions to make efforts to mitigate these natural disasters.
“People who live along rivers and cliffs should carry out temporary independent evacuation if there is continuous, high-intensity rain for more than one hour. “The public is also expected to always pay attention to river discharge conditions and avoid steep slopes with minimal vegetation,” said the Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, in a written statement.
Meanwhile, the Head of Bakti Raja Subdistrict, Sanggam Lumban Gaol, has not been able to provide information regarding the natural disaster that hit his area.
“We cannot provide information regarding the disaster in Bakti Raja District,” he told VOA.
The flash floods and landslides also forced 50 families to flee to safer places after their houses were damaged due to the flash floods. (aa/rs)