The death toll from floods and landslides in North Sumatra, Indonesia, has risen to 19, with dozens still reported missing, authorities confirmed on Thursday. Extreme weather over the past several days has caused severe flooding and landslides across multiple districts in the province.
National search and rescue official Emy Freezer reported that at least 24 people remain missing across six locations. Access to many affected areas has been cut off due to debris, damaged roads, and disrupted telecommunications and electricity services. Rescue teams are prioritising clearing debris to reach isolated communities and provide assistance.
Heavy rains in neighbouring Aceh province have also prompted the evacuation of nearly 1,500 residents, while electricity outages have affected parts of the province following the collapse of a transmission tower.
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency has issued a warning over Cyclone Senyar, which formed on Wednesday and may bring further extreme weather to the region. Climate change has increasingly intensified seasonal storms, resulting in heavier rainfall, flash floods, and stronger winds.
This month alone, 38 people have died in Central Java due to landslides caused by heavy rain, with 13 still missing.
