Heavy rain that lashed Simalungun Regency, North Sumatra, from\nThursday night (30\/7) into Friday morning caused flooding on the Sumatra\nTrans-Island Highway (Jalinsum) connecting Medan and Pematangsiantar,\nspecifically at the Pondok Batu Silangit junction in the Tapian Dolok\nDistrict.<\/p>\n
The Chief of Dolok Batu Nanggar Police, IPTU Rido V. Pakpahan, stated\nthat the flooding was exacerbated by the overflowing Sikam River. The\nflood also submerged residential areas in the Pasar Bawah Serbalawan\nmarket area, Dolok Batu Nanggar District.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe flooding began after high-intensity rain hit the Simalungun\nregion. The increased water volume caused flooding that covered the road\nsurface on the Jalinsum, specifically at the Pondok Batu Silangit\njunction,\u201d he said on Friday (31\/7).<\/p>\n
As a result, traffic flow on the main artery connecting Medan and\nPematangsiantar was temporarily paralysed. Both two-wheeled and\nfour-wheeled vehicles were unable to pass due to the high level of\nstanding water. Police personnel were immediately deployed to the\nlocation to manage traffic and mitigate risks to road users. The flood\ntemporarily blocked the road, causing significant congestion.<\/p>\n
Amidst the flooding, a motorcyclist attempted to brave the waters but\nthe vehicle stalled in the middle of the flow and was subsequently swept\ntowards an area belonging to PT Bridgestone. No fatalities were reported\nin the incident.<\/p>\n
In addition to the highway, flooding hit the Pasar Bawah Serbalawan\narea after the Sikam River overflowed, with water entering homes and\nsubmerging several residences. Personnel from the Dolok Batu Nanggar\nPolice, along with relevant authorities, advised residents to\nimmediately secure their valuables and evacuate to safer locations.\nDuring the peak of the flood, three residents were reported to be\ntrapped inside their homes.<\/p>\n
Evacuation efforts were carried out by the Simalungun Regency Fire\nDepartment with assistance from other relevant agencies. While the water\nat the Pondok Batu Silangit junction receded by approximately 00:30 WIB\non Friday, allowing normal traffic to resume, the situation remains\ncritical near the Sikam River.<\/p>\n
\u201cWater levels are reported to still reach approximately three metres,\nso handling and monitoring processes are ongoing. It is suspected that\nsome residents are still sheltering on their rooftops awaiting\nevacuation,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
To prevent the risk of electrocution, the electricity supply in the\naffected area has been temporarily disconnected. Meanwhile, the\nSimalungun Regency Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has arrived on-site\nto conduct data collection and assist with flood management and resident\nevacuations.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/heavy-rain-in-simalungun-causes-temporary-paralysis-of-medan-siantar-main-road-1785473871", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }