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Dozens Killed as North Sumatra Floods and Landslides Cut Off Rescue Routes

Authorities cite a rare cyclone as a driver of the extreme rains, with cloud seeding planned as access remains severely cut off.

Overview

  • Official tolls vary across agencies, with reports ranging up to at least 49 dead and 50–67 missing as searches continue in isolated areas.
  • Up to 8,000 residents have been evacuated and nearly 5,000 are in shelters, with roads, bridges, power and telecommunications down in several districts.
  • Rescuers are using helicopters, boats and drones to deliver aid and reach communities in Sibolga, Central Tapanuli, South Tapanuli and nearby regencies.
  • Indonesia’s meteorological agency links the deluge to Cyclone Senyar and interacting systems, and authorities plan cloud seeding to limit further rain during operations.
  • Flooding also affects Aceh and West Sumatra, while the wider region faces concurrent disasters with deadly floods reported in Thailand, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.