Three districts in Langkat inundated by floods
The flooding began with high-intensity rainfall falling continuously in the upstream area since Monday, causing river discharge to rise sharply and overflow into residential neighbourhoods.
Stabat (ANTARA) - At least three districts in Langkat Regency, North Sumatra, have been inundated by floods following heavy rainfall that caused several rivers in the area to overflow.
Ansyari, Acting Head of the Langkat Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), said in Stabat on Tuesday that the heavy rainfall and overflowing rivers caused protective river embankments to breach at several points.
As a result, at least three districts have been flooded: Batang Sarangan, Padang Tualang, and Tanjung districts.
“The flooding began with high-intensity rainfall falling continuously in the upstream area since Monday, causing river discharge to rise sharply and overflow into residential neighbourhoods. The situation was worsened by the breaching of protective river embankments at several points, so the water spread more quickly into settlements,” he said.
In Padang Tualang district, he added, conditions were further aggravated by high tides at the river mouth, preventing water from flowing smoothly to the sea and instead pushing it back over the land.
In Padang Tualang, three hamlets have been significantly affected: Hamlet 12 of Benteng Rejo, with 600 households affected by floodwater reaching 30–120 cm in depth.
Hamlet 11 of Tegal Rejo has 250 households affected with water levels of 25–95 cm, while Somor Bor hamlet has 260 households affected with water levels of 20–30 cm.
“Data on the impact in Batang Sarangan and Tanjung Pura districts is still being compiled and will be reported in full as soon as it is collected,” Ansyari said.
He said BPBD Langkat continues to monitor developments in the field directly across the three affected districts.
“The BPBD team has gone directly to the locations bringing logistical aid and equipment for the distribution of assistance or for evacuation if needed,” he said.
BPBD Langkat is also coordinating with village and district governments, the police sector, the military district command, and community health centres in each area to prepare for a joint response.
Personnel and emergency equipment to anticipate evacuation needs are on standby should conditions deteriorate or the embankments breach again.
“The public is urged to remain vigilant against possible rising water and damage caused by the embankment breaches, and to be ready to evacuate at any time if necessary,” he said.