MEDAN, bhayaksa.net —- A flood disaster triggered by the overflow of the River Deli watershed has once again submerged a densely populated residential area in the Medan Maimun District, Medan City, North Sumatra. Based on the latest data from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), at least 803 houses inhabited by thousands of residents were directly affected by the flash flood originating from the upstream mountainous region.
Chronology of the Overflow and Water Levels Nearing the Ceilings
The river water levels reportedly began to rise significantly on Monday night at around 10:00 PM WIB. By Tuesday early morning at 2:35 AM WIB, the water volume continued to surge sharply due to heavy rainfall in the upstream area.
The worst-hit condition struck the Sei Mati sub-district, where the floodwaters reached a peak height of up to 3 meters. According to local residents, the rushing water arrived so rapidly that it nearly touched their ceilings, forcing them to evacuate to higher ground to save themselves.
Updated Victim Data and Material Losses
Based on the latest data released by the rapid response team on the ground on Tuesday afternoon, the River Deli overflow affected several neighborhoods in the Medan Maimun District:
- Total Affected Residents: A total of 803 households (KK) with 3,116 residents were recorded as either temporarily displaced or trapped by the floodwaters.
- Vulnerable Groups: Out of the total affected victims, officers prioritized the evacuation of 42 elderly citizens, 15 pregnant women, and 112 children and toddlers to safer locations.
- Casualties: It has been confirmed that there were no casualties (zero) in this flash flood incident. All residents were successfully evacuated before the water reached its highest peak.
- Physical Damages: Aside from submerging hundreds of houses, public facilities such as two prayer rooms (mushola) and one local elementary school building were also inundated by river mud.
Hundreds of Residents Evacuate along Roadsides and Sub-District OfficeAs their homes were completely submerged, hundreds of residents were forced to evacuate for their safety. Most of the affected residents set up independent temporary shelters and stayed on the shopfront verandas along the main road of Brigjend Katamso Street.
In addition to the roadsides, residents were also evacuated to the official evacuation center at the Sei Mati Sub-District Office.Moving into Tuesday morning and afternoon, the water levels in several locations reportedly began to recede gradually. Assisted by joint officers, residents have started returning to their respective homes to work together in clearing out the remaining thick, knee-deep river mud sediments.
Distribution Points for Logistics Assistance and Soup KitchensTo alleviate the burden on the affected residents, relief posts and emergency soup kitchens have been established at three strategic locations:Sei Mati Sub-District Main Post: Centered at the Sei Mati Sub-District Office, serving as the main hub for distributing logistics assistance such as ready-to-eat meals, clean water, blankets, and medicines.
Brigjend Katamso Street Independent Post: Spread across the shopfront verandas along the main road (including near the Masjid and Pelita alleys) as quick distribution posts for residents who are still staying behind to guard their belongings on the higher roadsides.Social Agency / BPBD Medan Logistics Center: Directing raw food supplies and infant necessities straight to the residential evacuation points.
Healthcare Institutional Readiness at Emergency PostsTo anticipate the aftermath of the flood, which is prone to causing skin diseases and digestive health issues, the Medan City Health Agency, through the Kampung Baru Health Center (Puskesmas) and Matsum Health Center, has established 24-hour medical posts.Medical personnel from both health centers were deployed directly to the evacuation locations on Brigjend Katamso Street to provide free medical treatment, distribute vitamins, and hand out masks to affected residents, especially the elderly and children.
Hundreds of Residents Evacuate along Roadsides and Sub-District Office
As their homes were completely submerged, hundreds of residents were forced to evacuate for their safety. Most of the affected residents set up independent temporary shelters and stayed on the shopfront verandas along the main road of Brigjend Katamso Street. In addition to the roadsides, residents were also evacuated to the official evacuation center at the Sei Mati Sub-District Office.
Moving into Tuesday morning and afternoon, the water levels in several locations reportedly began to recede gradually. Assisted by joint officers, residents have started returning to their respective homes to work together in clearing out the remaining thick, knee-deep river mud sediments.
Distribution Points for Logistics Assistance and Soup Kitchens
To alleviate the burden on the affected residents, relief posts and emergency soup kitchens have been established at three strategic locations:
- Sei Mati Sub-District Main Post: Centered at the Sei Mati Sub-District Office, serving as the main hub for distributing logistics assistance such as ready-to-eat meals, clean water, blankets, and medicines.
- Brigjend Katamso Street Independent Post: Spread across the shopfront verandas along the main road (including near the Masjid and Pelita alleys) as quick distribution posts for residents who are still staying behind to guard their belongings on the higher roadsides.
- Social Agency / BPBD Medan Logistics Center: Directing raw food supplies and infant necessities straight to the residential evacuation points.
Healthcare Institutional Readiness at Emergency Posts
To anticipate the aftermath of the flood, which is prone to causing skin diseases and digestive health issues, the Medan City Health Agency, through the Kampung Baru Health Center (Puskesmas) and Matsum Health Center, has established 24-hour medical posts.
Medical personnel from both health centers were deployed directly to the evacuation locations on Brigjend Katamso Street to provide free medical treatment, distribute vitamins, and hand out masks to affected residents, especially the elderly and children.
Traffic Conditions in the Medan Maimun Route and Alternative Detours
Following the recession of puddles on the main road body, traffic in the Brigjend Katamso Street area was observed to experience congestion and slowed vehicle volumes. This situation was triggered by the large number of vehicles belonging to affected residents temporarily parked on the higher shoulders of the road, as well as the ongoing mud-cleaning activities in several residential alleys, such as Burung, Pelita, and Masjid alleys. Passing motorists are urged to remain cautious as the asphalt tends to be slippery due to the remaining mud residue.
To avoid vehicle accumulation and severe gridlocks along Brigjend Katamso Street, motorists are advised to use the following alternative routes:
- From the City Center (Merdeka Square) toward Amplas / Johor: Motorists are suggested to detour through Sisingamangaraja Street or via Juanda Street, heading straight toward STM Street / End of Brigjend Katamso Street.
- From Maimun Palace toward Medan Johor: Can take an alternative route through Polonia Street or Melati Street, then heading out toward Jamin Ginting Street / Padang Bulan to bypass the flood-affected area.
Officers from the Medan Polrestabes Traffic Police and the Department of Transportation (Dishub) have been stationed at several main intersections to direct road users.
Official Statement from the Medan Maimun District Authority
The Acting (Plt.) Head of Medan Maimun District, Kiki Zulfikar, S.Sos, M.Si, delivered an official statement directly at the evacuation site on Tuesday afternoon, August 25, 2026, after the rapid response team completed the emergency handling data collection.
“Our main focus since Tuesday early morning has been the evacuation and safety of the residents. Currently, the water has begun to recede, and the district office continues to collaborate with the BPBD and the Social Agency to ensure that food supplies at the three soup kitchen points are sufficient for the next three days. We also urge residents to remain vigilant and not to rush into turning on electricity inside their homes before it is confirmed to be completely dry by PLN officers,” Kiki Zulfikar stated.
Reporter: Haposan Sinabutar
Editor: bhayaksa.net Team
