Flooding Hits Aceh and North Sumatra, Affecting Thousands

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported flooding in several districts and cities in Aceh and North Sumatra, affecting thousands of residents.

According to BNPB data cited on Friday (30 October 2026), flooding in North Sumatra occurred in Langkat and Mandailing Natal (Madina). The affected areas were identified in reports from Wednesday (28 October) and Thursday (29 October).

“The impact on 691 households in Langkat Regency mentioned below refers to the report from Wednesday (28 October),” said Berton SP Panjaitan, acting head of BNPB’s Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre, in a written statement.

In Mandailing Natal, flooding affected at least two villages: Binanga in Huta Bargot sub-district and Rumbio in Panyabungan Utara sub-district. Heavy rain on Wednesday (28 October) caused the Simalagi River to overflow.

The flooding inundated 32 homes and affected one place of worship. It also temporarily paralysed a road, making it impassable for both two- and four-wheeled vehicles.

Flooding also occurred in Asahan, in Sei Silau Tua and Bangun Sari villages in Setia Janji sub-district. Water began inundating residents’ homes on Tuesday (27 October), reaching depths of 30 to 80 centimetres.

A total of 3,610 people were affected: 2,910 in Sei Silau Tua and a further 700 in Bangun Sari.

Flooding also occurred in Medan, inundating residential areas including Kampung Aur.

In Aceh, flooding struck South Aceh, specifically Gampong Lhok Raya and Gampong Cot Bayu in Trumon Tengah sub-district. Heavy rain over South Aceh on Wednesday (28 October) caused the Lae Soraya and Kruen Trumon Raya rivers to overflow.

Flooding also occurred in Subulussalam, affecting 1,985 households and inundating 177 homes.

BNPB urged residents to remain alert to tropical cyclone seed 91B, which formed over the Andaman Sea, north of Aceh, at 1 am Western Indonesian Time on Thursday (29 October). The system could bring moderate to heavy rain to Aceh and North Sumatra, as well as waves of 1.25 to 2.5 metres in the northern Malacca Strait.