13 dead as floods, landslides hit Indonesia's North Sumatra

Thirteen people have died after floods and landslides struck seven regencies and cities in Indonesia's North Sumatra province, the Provincial Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) said on Wednesday.

Sri Wahyuni Pancasilawati, head of emergency handling, equipment and logistics at BPBD North Sumatra, said the deaths include nine in South Tapanuli Regency and four in Central Tapanuli Regency.

Continuous heavy rain from November 22 to 25 caused rivers to overflow, triggering floods and landslides across Central Tapanuli, Sibolga, Mandailing Natal, South Tapanuli, North Tapanuli, South Nias and Padangsidimpuan.

According to the official, 37 people were injured and three remain missing in South Tapanuli, while data collection was ongoing in Central Tapanuli.

The disasters also damaged hundreds of homes, schools and public facilities and forced thousands of residents to relocate across the affected areas.