Floods Hit 18 Villages in Aceh as BMKG Warns of More Heavy Rain
Floods Hit 18 Villages in Aceh, Forcing Residents to Evacuate
Kabarsaji.com – Floods Hit 18 Villages in Aceh after heavy rainfall caused rivers to overflow and damaged an embankment in Aceh Tamiang, Indonesia. The flooding affected nine subdistricts and prompted hundreds of residents to leave their homes for safer locations as water levels rose.
The Aceh Tamiang Regional Disaster Management Agency, or BPBD, said the flooding began on Sunday evening, October 11, following intense rain. BPBD head Iman Suhery said Tenggulun was the hardest-hit subdistrict, where five villages were inundated.
Emergency personnel and rescue teams have been assessing the damage, assisting residents and monitoring vulnerable areas. Authorities also deployed heavy equipment to repair the damaged river embankment, while many residents moved to higher ground, mosques, schools and relatives’ homes.
Flooding Disrupts Villages, Roads and Farmland
In addition to Tenggulun, the flooding affected subdistricts including Tamiang Hulu, Bendahara and Kuala Simpang. In Tamiang Hulu, hundreds of people from Rongoh and Bandar Khalifah villages evacuated after water reached depths of around 1 to 1.5 meters.
Floods Hit 18 Villages in Aceh also disrupted local access routes. Roads leading to Simpang Kiri village in Tenggulun became impassable after floodwater and debris covered the area, cutting off access for residents.
In Marlempang village, Bendahara, a 30-meter section of river embankment collapsed and sent water into residential areas and hundreds of hectares of farmland. Village head Arif Pradana said the embankment breach occurred at around 4 p.m. local time on Sunday.
Water levels in residential parts of Marlempang reached between 30 and 50 centimeters after the embankment failed. Officials were also concerned about two additional cracked sections of the embankment located about 500 meters from the breach, as further damage could worsen flooding in nearby communities.
BMKG Warns Aceh Residents of Continued Heavy Rain
The floods came as Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency, known as BMKG, warned that moderate to heavy rain could continue across much of Aceh over the following two days. Some areas were also expected to experience strong winds.
BMKG forecaster Nasyithah Az-zahra Lubis said the weather conditions were influenced by an active equatorial Rossby wave, shifting winds and convergence zones. These atmospheric conditions can support the formation of rain clouds and increase the likelihood of heavy rainfall.
Warm sea surface temperatures in the western Indian Ocean off Sumatra and in waters east of Aceh may also add moisture to the atmosphere, contributing to rain formation, she said.
On Monday, BMKG forecast rain accompanied by strong winds in 14 areas, including Aceh Tamiang, Aceh Besar, East Aceh and Gayo Lues. Rain was also expected in several districts and cities on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 13 and 14.
The agency said rainfall was generally more likely from afternoon through evening. Residents were urged to remain alert for sudden downpours, use caution when traveling in poor weather and avoid rivers, lakes, reservoirs and other waterways during intense or prolonged rain.
FAQ: What Residents Should Do During Flooding in Aceh
Which areas were affected by the flooding?
The flooding affected 18 villages in nine subdistricts of Aceh Tamiang. Tenggulun was reported as the most severely affected subdistrict, while Tamiang Hulu, Bendahara and Kuala Simpang were also among the impacted areas.
Why did the floods occur?
Heavy rainfall caused rivers to overflow, while a collapsed embankment in Marlempang village allowed floodwater to enter homes and farmland. Cracks in other sections of the embankment raised additional concerns.
What safety advice has BMKG issued?
BMKG advised residents to prepare for sudden heavy rain, take care while traveling during severe weather and avoid waterways during intense or extended rainfall. People in low-lying or flood-prone locations should monitor local warnings and move to safer ground if conditions worsen.