Jakarta. A series of natural disasters has battered several regions in North Sumatra over the past four days, leaving at least 10 people dead, three injured, and six missing, according to the latest data from the Indonesian National Police.

Twenty separate incidents were recorded across six districts and cities: Central Tapanuli, Mandailing Natal, South Tapanuli, North Tapanuli, Sibolga, and Nias.

Days of torrential rain since Sunday caused 12 landslides, seven floods, and one fallen tree. More than 2,390 families have been affected, and 445 people have been forced to evacuate to temporary shelters. Several inter-regional roads remain completely cut off by landslide debris, hampering rescue efforts.

Sibolga suffered the worst damage, with six landslides on Monday killing five people, injuring three others, and leaving four still missing. In Central Tapanuli, a landslide struck around 7 a.m. Tuesday claimed four lives and destroyed a house. The four victims were Dewi Hutabarat, 33, and her three children: Arta Rouli Lumbantobing, 7, Vania Aurora Lumbantobing, 4, and Ilona Lumbantobing, 3. Mandailing Natal reported widespread flooding and landslides that shut the Aek Inumon II Bridge and displaced about 400 residents.

A fallen tree in South Tapanuli killed one person and injured another, while North Tapanuli saw three landslide sites and two damaged homes. In Nias, landslides severed access to Hiligodu village in Gunungsitoli.

Police, the regional disaster agency (BPBD), national search and rescue agency Basarnas, the military, and volunteers are continuing to search for the six missing victims while working to restore access and deliver aid. Personnel deployment is being expanded to speed up evacuations and support affected communities.

Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko said the safety of residents remains the top priority. “We will work until all affected areas are handled. Information will be updated transparently so the public can take safe measures,” he said on Wednesday.

Authorities attribute the widespread destruction to days of extreme rainfall, with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) warning that further downpours may trigger additional disasters. Communities are urged to avoid slopes and riverbanks until the situation stabilizes.

Central Tapanuli remains the most critical zone after intense rainfall on Tuesday submerged thousands of homes, severed transport routes, and stalled relief efforts. As of Wednesday, all road access to the district remained blocked by flood and landslide debris, while a complete internet outage has prevented officials from confirming casualty figures or updating damage assessments.

Local governments have advised residents in high-risk areas to stay alert and evacuate when necessary. Authorities say their immediate focus is reopening vital roads, restoring communications, and delivering emergency supplies as North Sumatra continues to grapple with one of its most severe disaster clusters in recent years.

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