Paralyzed by Floods and Landslides in Parapat, Trans-Sumatra Highway Reopens

SIMALUNGUN, KOMPAS – Flash floods and landslides struck the Parapat tourism area in Simalungun Regency, North Sumatra, on Sunday night (16/3/2025). The Trans-Sumatra Highway was temporarily paralyzed due to being buried under rocks and mud. Services at the Parapat Regional General Hospital were also disrupted due to the flooding. By Monday morning, the road was passable on an emergency basis.

"The access to the Trans-Sumatra Road, which was previously paralyzed, can now be traversed by four-wheeled vehicles, albeit with an alternating open-and-close system. At present, we are focusing on emergency response measures. There are no fatalities resulting from the floods and landslides," said Simalungun Regent Anton Achmad Saragih.

The hilly area on the eastern side of Lake Toba was struck by a hydrometeorological disaster following heavy rains that fell from Sunday afternoon until evening. A massive flash flood surged from the Batu Gaga River, carrying mud, rocks, and tree trunks.

A flash flood struck the Trans-Sumatra Road near Pantai Bebas Parapat, affecting restaurants, shops, residential areas, and the Regional General Hospital (RSUD) Parapat. After the flood subsided, mud as high as half a meter accumulated on the roads and in residents' homes.

Health services at Parapat Regional General Hospital (RSUD Parapat) were also paralyzed due to the flash flood. All rooms on the first floor of the hospital were buried under mud from the flash flood debris. The affected rooms included the emergency unit, intensive care unit, operating room, polyclinic, as well as the pharmacy or medication storage area.

Several medical devices were also submerged in the flood. "The inpatient ward was not affected by the flood as it is located on the second floor," said the Director of Parapat Regional General Hospital, Henry Jimmy Gultom.

Landslide

In addition to flash floods, landslides also occurred on the Trans-Sumatra Highway in Nagori (Village) Sibaganding, Girsang Sipangan Bolon District, about one kilometer from Parapat Free Beach. The road on the ridge was also paralyzed. The road was covered in mud and rocks.

Anton said that the joint team from the Simalungun Regency Government, the Simalungun Police, the 0207/Simalungun Military District Command, and the Ministry of Public Works focused on handling emergency response so that the national road could be passed immediately. They also helped affected residents.

"A number of heavy equipment were deployed to clear the road. Some of the landslide material has been moved so that vehicles can now pass through the landslide-affected road," Anton said.

Parapat Police Chief Adjunct Commissioner Manguni Wiria Sinulingga said that to avoid traffic jams and the danger of landslides, the road in the landslide and flash flood area was only passable by vehicles from Toba to Medan.

Meanwhile, vehicles coming from Medan towards Toba were diverted to an alternative road from Simpang Talang to Simpang Sitahuan. "The 20-kilometer alternative road avoids landslides and flash floods," Manguni said.

Manguni said that the motorboat crossing from Ajibata Parapat Port to Samosir Island is still operating as usual because the road has been opened on Monday morning. Manguni appealed to the public to increase their vigilance when crossing roads in hilly areas, especially when heavy rain falls.

According to the forecast of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Center (BMKG) Region I Medan, moderate to heavy rain is expected to still hit a number of areas in North Sumatra, such as Simalungun, South Tapanuli, Deli Serdang, Mandailing Natal, Samosir, and a number of other areas.