Heavy Flooding Hits Central Tapanuli, 145 Residents Evacuated to HKBP Sipange Church

Tapteng flood situation (doc. BNPB)

JAKARTA - Heavy flooding hit Central Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra, after heavy rain triggered river overflows on Saturday, July 18, afternoon. The flood, which had reached the height of an adult's waist, began to recede today.

Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, said the flood occurred at around 15.52 WIB due to overflowing rivers flooding residential areas.

The affected areas include seven villages in four sub-districts, namely Tukka, Badiri, Pinangsori, and Sarudik. When the flood occurred, the Central Tapanuli Regency BPBD together with the joint team immediately evacuated residents from the affected areas.

"As many as 145 people from Sipangen Village have been displaced at the HKBP Sipange Church Building since last night. A communal kitchen has been set up to meet the food needs of affected residents," said Abdul Muhari in his statement, Sunday, July 19.

Until now, the personnel of the Central Tapanuli Regency BPBD are still on standby at the location to conduct data collection on losses due to flooding and monitor the condition of the affected residents.

BNPB also reminded the public to remain vigilant even though it is now entering the dry season. Based on the forecast of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the North Sumatra region is still potentially hit by rain with light intensity in the next few days.

"BNPB urges the public to continue to increase their readiness for weather dynamics during the current dry season. Based on the weather forecast of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the North Sumatra region has the potential to experience light rain in the next few days," said Abdul Muhari.

According to BNPB, the potential rain is influenced by the still active atmospheric waves, the existence of wind shearlines in the Indian Ocean west of Sumatra, and the still warm sea surface temperature which supports the formation of rain clouds.

Therefore, the public is asked to continue to monitor the development of weather information and early warnings from BNPB, BPBD, and BMKG as a step to anticipate potential hydrometeorological disasters.