Medan, Indonesia— Riverine flash floods swept through villages in Sumatra on November 1, 2026, killing two villagers and injuring four others after rivers overflowed following hours of heavy rain.
The floods hit just before dawn. Rivers in North Sumatra and West Sumatra rose rapidly. Water rushed into low-lying settlements. Wooden houses were lifted off stilts. Two residents, caught while crossing a small bridge, were swept away. Their bodies were found downstream.
Local disaster agency officials said four others suffered injuries from debris and collapsing walls. One child was treated for hypothermia. Villagers climbed onto roofs and waited for help. Boats were the only way in for several hours.
"The water came very fast. We heard the river roar and then it was inside the houses. People ran," a village head said from a temporary shelter. He said more than 200 families fled to higher ground.
Sumatra's rivers flood almost every rainy season. Logging upstream, clogged channels, and settlements built on floodplains make it worse. Heavy rain in the highlands drains fast into narrow lowland rivers.
Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency, BNPB, dispatched teams with rubber boats and food packages. Soldiers helped evacuate elderly residents. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency warned that rain intensity will remain high for three days.
Roads linking Medan to surrounding districts were cut. One bridge was damaged. Trucks carrying palm oil and rubber could not pass. Power was out in three sub-districts. Mobile networks failed in one area.
Farmers reported loss of rice fields ready for harvest. Fish ponds were washed away. Health officials warned of diarrhea and skin infections from contaminated water. Clinics opened in tents.
Search teams said no more people are missing but they are checking downstream. The river level dropped by midday Saturday but remains above normal. Officials told residents not to return yet.
Published by Banx Network. This article is part of the Banx decentralized media programme, powered by the BXE token on the XRP Ledger.
