25 Dead in Flash Floods and Landslides in North Sumatra, Central and South Tapanuli Isolated

MEDAN, KOMPAS – Flash floods and landslides have struck 11 districts and cities in North Sumatra. A total of 25 people have died as a result of the disaster. Access roads to Tapanuli Tengah, Tapanuli Selatan, and the city of Sibolga remain paralyzed. Internet and telephone access have also not been restored.

The areas that experienced the most severe disaster are the western coastal region of North Sumatra, including South Tapanuli with a preliminary report of 12 fatalities, Central Tapanuli with 5 fatalities, and the city of Sibolga with 5 fatalities. Flash floods and landslides occurred in 30 different locations.

"Until Wednesday afternoon, rain was still falling in the area. Field officers are focused on evacuating the community to safer locations," said Ferry.

Ferry stated that three national access roads to the area are still cut off. The main access road, namely via the Tarutung-Sibolga Road, is blocked by landslides in several locations. Logistics trucks coming from Medan are held up. The queue of vehicles extends for several kilometers.

Another alternative route is via the Padangsidimpuan-Sibolga Road. However, this national road is also completely cut off in the Angkola Barat District, South Tapanuli. A Pertamina tanker truck was buried under landslide debris on the roadway. Several houses were also buried.

Another alternative route is from Humbang Hasundutan Regency via the Pakkat-Barus Road. However, that road has also experienced landslides at three locations and is impassable.

Other areas in North Sumatra have also been affected by flash floods, floods, and landslides, namely South Nias (1 deceased), Pakpak Bharat (2 deceased), Mandailing Natal, North Tapanuli, Padang Sidimpuan, Humbang Hasundutan, Nias, and Serdang Bedagai.

The Regent of Central Tapanuli, Masinton Pasaribu, stated that his team is now focused on opening access roads to the area. In addition, officials are evacuating residents to evacuation posts. They are anticipating flash floods and subsequent landslides.

Officers deployed excavators to shift landslide debris that buried the road in several locations on the Tarutung-Sibolga road. "The road is cut off for several kilometers due to landslides in several locations," said Masinton.

He stated that the officers were only able to clear several landslide points in the Adiankoting District, North Tapanuli. However, landslide material is still piled up on several kilometers of the road. Several vehicles are also buried under the landslide on the roadway.

The Head of the Emergency Handling, Equipment, and Logistics Division of the North Sumatra Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Sri Wahyuni Pancasilawati stated that some BPBD personnel are still stranded in North Tapanuli. They are also facing difficulties in communicating with officers located in the areas of Central Tapanuli, South Tapanuli, and Sibolga.

As a result of the communication breakdown, the condition of the community in several locations could not be known by their families outside the region. Anisa Ramadani (27), a private employee in Medan, stated that she last communicated with her parents in the Pandan District, Central Tapanuli, on Tuesday (25/11/2025) at 10:00 AM WIB.

"My parents said there was a landslide on a hill near our house. Floods also inundated the area around our home in Tapanuli Tengah," said Anisa.

Since then, Anisa has been unable to contact her family. It has been more than 24 hours since she last communicated with them. She does not know the condition of her family. Public transportation to that area is also not operating.