Flash floods and landslides in Central Tapanuli killed four people and cut off a national road.

MEDAN, KOMPAS – Flash floods and landslides have struck the western coastal areas of North Sumatra, encompassing the districts of Tapanuli Tengah, Sibolga, Tapanuli Selatan, and Mandailing Natal. Communication access and national roads to the region have been severed. Four people have been reported dead in Tapanuli Tengah.

"Four people died in a landslide in Mardame Village, Sitahuis District. Landslides and flooding also occurred in other areas, inundating thousands of homes in various locations," said Central Tapanuli Regent Masinton Pasaribu when contacted by Kompas on Tuesday (November 25, 2025).

Masinton stated that flash floods occurred in several locations in Tapanuli Tengah and Sibolga. From the video sent by Masinton, the flash floods with very strong currents struck residential areas, reaching nearly the height of the rooftops. The swift current overflowed from the river, carrying materials such as tree trunks.

In another video, landslides are seen blocking access roads at several points, including national roads. Several vehicles appear to be buried under the landslide material.

The Tapanuli Tengah Regency, in collaboration with the TNI, Polri, and the National SAR Agency, conducted the evacuation of residents in areas prone to landslides and flash floods. Vulnerable residents were transported to temporary shelters using vehicles.

Officials are still collecting data on the impacts of the disaster. It is estimated that thousands of houses have been affected by the flash flood. Telephone and mobile data access in Central Tapanuli and its surroundings has also been completely cut off since Tuesday afternoon. Officials from the North Sumatra Provincial Government have not yet been able to access the disaster area.

"We are on our way to Tapanuli Tengah. We are still held up at the border of Tapanuli Utara and Tapanuli Tengah. The road is impassable due to landslides and heavy rain is still falling," said the Head of the Emergency Handling, Equipment, and Logistics Division of the North Sumatra Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Sri Wahyuni Pancasilawati.

Wahyuni stated that the Tarutung-Sibolga road has been inaccessible since Tuesday afternoon, causing personnel from the North Sumatra BPBD to be stranded near the border around the Sitahuis District, Central Tapanuli.

He added that there are actually several alternative routes, but they are prone to landslides and require a detour of 150-200 kilometers. The first alternative route goes through North Tapanuli, South Tapanuli, and then enters Central Tapanuli via the Lumut District. However, a bridge is also damaged in the Pahae Julu District, North Tapanuli.

Another alternative route is through North Tapanuli, Humbang Hasundutan, then entering Central Tapanuli via Barus District. However, the roads in that area are also prone to landslides and are still experiencing heavy rainfall.

Wahyuni stated that communication between the North Sumatra BPBD officials and the Tapanuli Tengah Regency was interrupted on Tuesday afternoon. As a result, they have not been able to access the latest information in Tapanuli Tengah.

The personnel brought in to assist with emergency response efforts are still hindered due to a broken road. According to the latest reports they received, four people have died in Tapanuli Tengah.

Wahyuni stated that the North Sumatra Regional Disaster Management Agency deployed personnel and heavy equipment to Tapanuli Tengah. Some personnel are waiting for the road to be passable. The officers are also working to clear the road section at the border of Tapanuli Utara and Tapanuli Tengah. Additionally, other personnel are searching for alternative routes to Tapanuli Tengah.

We are still held up at the border of North Tapanuli and Central Tapanuli. The road is impassable due to landslides and heavy rain is still falling.

Kompas also tried contacting several people in Central Tapanuli. Calls or text messages via phone or cellular data were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Medan has issued a weather early warning for several areas in North Sumatra. Rain with moderate to heavy intensity is still likely to occur in Central Tapanuli and its surroundings.