Flooding Returns to Hutanabolon Residential Areas in North Sumatra

Central Tapanuli (ANTARA) — Flooding has once again inundated residential areas following the collapse of the Tuka River embankment in Hutanabolon Village, Tuka District, Central Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra, on Sunday evening.

“It started raining around three in the afternoon, then the embankment collapsed and the water came here,” said affected resident Heri Sipahutar (31) to ANTARA on Sunday.

The situation was further aggravated by the loss of electrical power to the residential area, forcing residents to be evacuated to designated safe locations.

According to his account, elderly residents have been successfully evacuated by the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) from near the flooding site.

In light of this incident, he has called on the government to expedite repairs to the collapsed embankment so that the secondary flooding, which has reached the calves of adults, does not continue to inundate homes and residents can focus on observing Ramadan fasting.

According to ANTARA’s monitoring at the scene, residents have rushed to save themselves by heading to strategic and safe locations that have been designated not far from the flood area.

Meanwhile, many have remained to pump water from their homes whilst hoping the floodwaters recede quickly.

At the flood site, personnel from Yonif TP (Territorial Development Infantry Battalion) TP 908-Gaja Domba and Basarnas have been operating in the area to evacuate residents in need.