Major flooding leaves 5 dead, 6 000 people affected in North Sumatra, Indonesia

The death toll due to major floods in Indonesia's North Sumatra has risen to five, while about 6 000 people have been affected in the provincial capital Medan, the National Search and Rescue Agency reported Friday, December 4, 2020.

The affected areas include Medan Maimun, Medan Johor, Medan Selayang, Medan Tuntung, Medan Baru, Medan Petisah, and Medan Polonia.

Among the fatalities are three women, one man, and a child, all of whom were previously classified as missing, according to Sariman Sitorus, spokesman for the agency in the provincial capital Medan. Another person is still missing, he added.

Heavy rainfall since Thursday night, December 3, has caused four rivers namely Sunggal, Deli, Babura, and Denai, to burst, flooding nearby houses and streets, the Medan Regional Disaster Management Agency said.

Around 6 000 people have been affected by floods in Medan. As of Friday noon, a total of 181 people have been rescued, including 50 children and 26 elderly people. 

Search and evacuation missions in disaster zones are being conducted by a team of rescue workers from BPBD, police, and SAR Agency.

Previously, the Serdang Bedagai Regency has been hit by widespread flooding that damaged thousands of houses and affected more than 26 000 people. The worst-hit area was Tebing Tinggi, where floods were described by authorities as the worst in the city's history.

Julie Celestial

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