MEDAN; Floods and a whirlwind have hit several districts in Langkat regency, North Sumatra, killing a 73-year-old woman and injuring three other people.
The incidents occurred over two consecutive days on Tuesday and Wednesday, damaging six houses and forcing 26 residents to evacuate after their homes were inundated by almost 1 metre.
Langkat Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) executive director Ansyari said the whirlwind hit Sawit Seberang district while floods inundated areas in Padang Tualang, Tanjung Pura and Sei Lepan districts.
He said the whirlwind struck in Sei Litur Tasik village, Sawit Seberang district, and killed the victim, Asnah, who was staying at her in-laws' house with other family members.
“Rain fell incessantly from about 6 p.m., accompanied by strong winds, hitting Sei Litur Tasik village,” he said on Thursday.
“The rain and wind damaged the house of villagers in Sei Litur Tasik village, including Asnah’s in-laws.”
The house collapsed after being hit by the whirlwind, and Asnah was knocked unconscious by flying debris, he added.
Ansyari said the victim received treatment in a hospital for a head injury, but her condition deteriorated and she later died.
Head of emergency response, equipment and logistics at North Sumatra BPBD, Sri Wahyuni Pancasilawati, said that based on collected data, six houses were damaged by the whirlwind in Sei Litur Tasik village.
She said North Sumatra BPBD and the Langkat regency administration conducted a disaster response in the affected location.
Officials assessed the damage and ensured the needs of villagers affected by the disaster were met.
“The regency administration has assisted residents affected by the whirlwind,” she said.
Sri added that while the authorities were still dealing with the aftermath of the whirlwind, floods hit several areas in Langkat regency on Wednesday.
Incessant rains triggered flooding in the districts of Padang Tualang, Tanjung Pura and Sei Lepan.
She said several rivers overflowed due to heavy rain, leading to floods.
“The floods are from 40 to 60 centimetres in depth in affected areas,” she said.
“Residents were forced to leave their homes for safer areas after their homes were flooded.”
She added that at least 26 people were evacuated and the water started to recede on Thursday. In several locations, the inundation had disappeared.
“Householders returned to their homes after the water receded,” she said, adding that people remained vigilant because the weather was still cloudy and rainy.
Earlier on Saturday, other places in North Sumatra and neighbouring Aceh also suffered from floods caused by heavy rain and strong winds.
Residents in Bonalumban subdistrict, Tukka district, in Central Tapanuli regency, had to evacuate after the Bonalumban River overflowed, causing floods of 30 to 50 cm in several areas.
Hutanabolon subdistrict was also hit by floods, although shallower at 10 to 30 cm.
The overflowing Sibuluan River and heavy rains caused flooding in Pandan and Sarudik districts.
Meanwhile, 124 families, amounting to 479 people, were affected by flooding in Southeast Aceh regency following incessant rains on Saturday that caused the Lawe Kisam and Lawe Kinga rivers to overflow.
The affected families were in Peseluk Pesimbe and Lembah Alas villages in Deleng Pokhkison district, as well as Kuning I village in Bambel district. - Jakarta Post/ANN
