North Sumatra Disaster, 34 Dead and Dozens Missing After Floods

Medan: A series of floods and landslides that struck North Sumatra between November 24 and 26, 2025, has left 34 people dead, 11 injured, and 52 still missing. Heavy rainfall over the past several days triggered widespread disasters across multiple regions.

“Water levels in several affected locations remain above one meter,” said North Sumatra Police spokesperson Senior Commissioner Ferry Walintukan on Thursday, November 27, 2025.

Police data show 148 disaster incidents occurring in 12 regencies and cities, including 86 landslides, 53 floods, seven fallen-tree incidents, and two tornadoes. The affected areas include Mandailing Natal, Padang Sidimpuan, Pakpak Bharat, South Tapanuli, Central Tapanuli, North Tapanuli, Humbang Hasundutan, South Nias, Nias, Sibolga, Serdangbedagai, and Langkat.

Casualties by Region

South Tapanuli recorded the highest number of victims, with 92 affected residents: 17 fatalities, four serious injuries, and 69 minor injuries. The area also saw the most evacuees, totaling 500 people.

Sibolga reported 59 victims, including eight deaths and 46 missing. Humbahas recorded two deaths, four serious injuries, and five missing. Central Tapanuli confirmed four deaths, while South Nias reported one fatality. Overall, 1,168 residents have been displaced.

More than 1,000 police personnel have been deployed from Ditsamapta, Brimob, Bidtik, and Biddokkes units to assist with evacuations, secure affected zones, and manage traffic around landslide sites.

Emergency Response Efforts

North Sumatra’s Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has sent personnel and equipment to impacted areas, including rubber boats, portable pumps, generators, tents, communication tools, and lighting equipment. The provincial government is coordinating with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) to mobilize emergency funds and with SOEs such as Pertamina, Inalum, PLN, and Antam for additional support.

The North Sumatra Social Services Agency has distributed food supplies consisting of one ton of cooking oil, 500 kilograms of sugar, 500 boxes of tea, 20,000 instant noodle packs, and 1,000 cans of sardines.

However, access to several locations remains difficult due to blocked or damaged roads.

Moderate to heavy rainfall continues to hit parts of North Sumatra, with new flooding reported in Medan and Deli Serdang as of Thursday evening.