At least 10 dead after flash floods flatten villages and cut off rescue workers

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At least 10 people have died after torrential rain unleashed flash floods and triggered landslides on Indonesia’s Sumatra island.

Six others are missing as rescue teams struggle to reach affected areas in North Sumatra province after the monsoon rains over the past week caused rivers to burst their banks.

Mud, rocks and trees tumbled down the hilly villages, flattening 17 houses and a cafe.

At least five bodies have been recovered and three injured people found in the worst-hit city of Sibolga.

Rescue teams say they are still searching for four villagers who were reported missing.

Editorial Use Only Mandatory Credit: Photo by BNPB/Sutantaaditya.com/Shutterstock (15937172d) Condition of a bridge cut off by flooding in North Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia, on November 25, 2025. This natural disaster impacted four regencies within the province: Sibolga, North Tapanuli, Central Tapanuli, and South Tapanuli. The inclement weather, characterised by repeated extreme conditions on November 24 and 25, contributed to these events. In addition to the tragic loss of life, the floods severely disrupted the daily lives and livelihoods of the affected communities. Indonesia's Landslide and Flashfood Disaster, North Tapanuli, North Sumatra, Indonesia - 26 Nov 2025
Condition of a bridge cut off by flooding in North Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra
(Picture: BNPB/Sutantaaditya.com/Shutterstock)
Editorial Use Only Mandatory Credit: Photo by BNPB/Sutantaaditya.com/Shutterstock (15937172a) On November 25, significant flooding affected residential areas in North Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra, impacting four regencies: Sibolga, North Tapanuli, Central Tapanuli, and South Tapanuli. Extreme weather conditions on November 24 and 25 contributed to the disaster, resulting in loss of life and severe disruptions to daily life and economic activities in the affected communities. Indonesia's Landslide and Flashfood Disaster, North Tapanuli, North Sumatra, Indonesia - 26 Nov 2025
On November 25, significant flooding affected residential areas in North Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra (Picture: BNPB/Sutantaaditya.com/Shutterstock)

In the neighbouring district of Central Tapanuli, landslides hit several homes, killing at least a family of four.

Flooding has also submerged nearly 2,000 houses and buildings.

Sibolga police chief Eddy Inganta confirmed emergency shelters were active and residents in high risk zones have been urged to evacuate.

He said: ‘Bad weather and mudslides hampered the rescue operation.’

He added that continued rainfall could trigger more landslides, and access already remains limited.

Editorial Use Only Mandatory Credit: Photo by BNPB/Sutantaaditya.com/Shutterstock (15937172h) On November 25, significant flooding affected residential areas in North Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra, impacting four regencies: Sibolga, North Tapanuli, Central Tapanuli, and South Tapanuli. Extreme weather conditions on November 24 and 25 contributed to the disaster, resulting in loss of life and severe disruptions to daily life and economic activities in the affected communities. Indonesia's Landslide and Flashfood Disaster, North Tapanuli, North Sumatra, Indonesia - 26 Nov 2025
At least five bodies have been recovered and three injured people found in the worst-hit city of Sibolga (Picture: BNPB/Sutantaaditya.com/Shutterstock)

Heavy seasonal rain from about October to March frequently causes flooding and landslides in Indonesia.

It comes as the National Disaster Mitigation Agency declared the official end of relief efforts in two areas of Indonesia’s Java island after 10 days of operations.

Some 38 people were killed and more than 1,000 rescue workers searched for people buried beneath the landslides.

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