North Sumatra, Indonesia—Rescue teams recovered three bodies on Wednesday after flash floods tore through a village in North Sumatra. The floodwaters surged through the area before dawn, catching residents off guard in their sleep. Emergency personnel spent most of the day searching through mud and debris for survivors.

The disaster followed several days of intense, localized rainfall that caused a riverbank to collapse upstream. Houses near the water were swept away by the force of the current. Authorities have established a temporary evacuation center at a nearby school for those who lost their homes.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing as teams scan the river downstream for more potential victims. The terrain is difficult to navigate due to the volume of sediment deposited by the flood. Heavy machinery is being brought in to move large debris piles.

The governor of North Sumatra visited the site this afternoon to oversee the coordination of relief efforts. He promised government assistance for the families affected by the destruction. Many residents are currently waiting for word on missing loved ones.

Local hospitals are treating several survivors for injuries sustained while fleeing the rising waters. Most are suffering from trauma or exposure after spending hours in the rain. Health clinics are preparing for potential outbreaks of waterborne illnesses.

The disaster mitigation agency warned that the region remains at high risk for secondary mudslides. They have urged residents to evacuate if water levels begin to rise again tonight. Evacuation routes are being patrolled by military personnel to ensure safe passage.

The cleanup phase will take weeks to complete given the extent of the damage. Volunteers have started arriving from neighboring districts to assist with clearing the roads. The impact of the flood is visible across the entire river valley.

The recovery team intends to continue the search until all reported missing persons are accounted for. They are relying on reports from village heads to track who was in the area when the flood hit. The situation remains fluid as authorities monitor local weather patterns.