Jakarta. Deadly floods and landslides have struck North Tapanuli in North Sumatra following days of extreme weather linked to Cyclone Senyar, local authorities said this week. The disasters, which began on Sunday, Nov. 24, have cut off major transport routes, left dozens missing, and stranded motorists without basic supplies.

In Adiankoting subdistrict, multiple landslides were reported from Lobu Pining to Sibalanga village, blocking the main road connecting Tarutung and Central Tapanuli. Officials said the damage was severe enough to halt traffic entirely, with cleanup expected to take at least three to five days.

Sibalanga village suffered the worst impact. At least 29 people have been reported missing, and seven others have been found dead, according to local emergency teams still searching through unstable terrain.

Truck driver Bendri Sinaga, who has been stranded on the Tarutung–Central Tapanuli road for two nights, said motorists had received no food assistance. “We’ve been here for two days with no ready-to-eat meals. Communication with our families and companies is down as well,” he told reporters.

The ongoing heavy rainfall continues to destabilize the soil, heightening the risk of additional landslides and slowing rescue operations. Search and rescue teams are working to clear debris and reopen access routes, but conditions remain hazardous.

Residents say they urgently need medical assistance, food supplies, and faster evacuations. “We hope the authorities can speed up the rescue so victims can receive proper medical treatment,” one resident said. “We also need the road reopened soon so economic activities can return to normal.”

The disaster comes as Cyclone Senyar, an unusually strong tropical system for the Malacca Strait, fuels severe weather across Sumatra. Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) warns that while the strait is typically shielded from cyclones due to its proximity to the equator, shifting climate patterns are making nearby low-pressure systems more likely to form.

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