Heavy Rain Triggers Floods in Central Tapanuli, 145 People Displaced
Flooding caused by high rainfall has submerged several areas of Central Tapanuli Regency (Tapteng), North Sumatra. Hundreds of residents have been forced to evacuate, and community activities in a number of locations have been disrupted.
Sri Wahyuni Pancasilawati, Head of Emergency Management, Equipment and Logistics at the North Sumatra BPBD disaster agency, said the flooding occurred after heavy rain battered the Tapteng area on Saturday (18 July 2026), causing several rivers to overflow.
“In Tukka District, flooding occurred in the wards of Sipange, Hutanabolon and Bonalumban. In Sipange, the overflow of the Aek Silaga-laga River caused water to enter people’s homes, so some residents chose to evacuate to safer places,” she said on Sunday (19 July).
Meanwhile in Hutanabolon ward, the river overflow submerged residents’ homes. A similar situation occurred in Bonalumban ward after an embankment burst, leaving floodwater waist-deep for an adult inundating the settlement.
“Flooding also struck Badiri District. In Lopian ward, the river overflow flooded the road, disrupting traffic flow. Both two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles were temporarily unable to pass through the location,” she explained.
In Pinangsori District, floodwater submerged residents’ homes in Pinangsori and Albion wards. The water came from drainage channels that overflowed due to the high intensity of rainfall.
“In Sarudik District, the river water level in Pondok Batu ward was reported to be rising. However, conditions there remain in the safe category and do not yet threaten residential areas,” she concluded.
BPBD, together with the military (TNI), the national search and rescue agency Basarnas, village guidance officers (Babinsa) and local communities, immediately carried out response efforts at the affected locations. Teams evacuated residents, monitored embankment conditions, and set up communal kitchens to meet the logistical needs of flood victims.
“BPBD officers remain on standby at several locations to assist with cleaning up flood debris and to anticipate the possibility of further rainfall,” she said.
There were no fatalities in the incident. However, according to BPBD data, she added, displaced people were recorded only in Sipange ward, Tukka District. A total of 145 people took refuge at the HKBP Sipange church building.
“To meet the needs of the evacuees, a communal kitchen has been operating and distributing logistical and food assistance,” she said.