Floods In 7 Districts Of South Labuhanbatu Begin To Recede

Flash floods and landslides hit Huta Baru Lobuharambir Hamlet, Bonanidlok Village, Purbatua District, North Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra Province, Wednesday (20/12/2023). BETWEEN/HO BPBD North Sumatra/am.

The Head of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of South Labuhanbatu Regency, Ismail Sawito Harahap, said that the overflowing flood of the Barumun-Kotapinang River which submerged seven villages had gradually receded today. "The overflow of the Barumun-Kotapinang River in South Labuhanbatu Regency, which commemorates seven villages, has receded by one meter, from Sunday morning to evening," said Ismail when contacted in Medan, Antara, Sunday, December 31. He explained that the overflow flood from the upstream of the Barummun-Simangambat River, North Padang Lawas Regency, had a normal process and had built a public kitchen to accommodate residents' logistics and consumption during the disaster. "Previously, periodic high intensity rain had occurred since December 18, 2023. The peak was December 28, 2023, causing the north side of the Aek Barumun-Kotapinang Bridge, South Labuhanbatu Regency to collapse. Settlements and plantations of residents were also flooded," he said. He explained that the floods were spreading in Rasau Village, Lagga Payung Village, Pasir Tuntung Village, Kotapinang Village, Asam Jawa Village, Tanjung Mulia Village, Batang Saponggol Village, Teluk Panji Bom Village and Kampung Rakyat Village. "The South Labuhanbatu Regency Government has distributed 2000 packages of assistance for the flood disaster of the Barumun-Kotapinang River. Assistance will continue to be distributed, while the realization of reports from villages affected by flooding, overflows from Hulu Sungai Barumun-Simanggambat, North Padang Lawas," he said. Ismail also said that refugees have so far remained in refugee camps and are under the supervision of the South Labuhanbatu Regency Government. In addition, his party also continues to make maximum efforts in handling floods.

"Residents are advised to remain vigilant during the ups and downs of river water to anticipate further flooding from upstream of the river," he said.