Two people died after heavy rainfall caused houses to collapse in Papua Province in Indonesia. Flooding was also reported in several areas of the island of Sumatra over the last few days, affecting around 10,000 people in total.
Papua Province
Flooding struck in Jayapura City, on 30 September 2020. Over 40 mm of rain fell in a few hours late on 29 September. A further 56 mm of rain fell in just a few hours late the following day.
Disaster authorities in Indonesia reported two young people died after two houses collapsed in Abepura District on the outskirts of the city. Other residents were evacuated.
Massive flooding in Jayapura Regency in March 2019 left as many as 80 people dead and 600 buildings destroyed.
Floods on the Island of Sumatra
Heavy rainfall has also affected western parts of the country, in particular the island of Sumatra where flooding was reported in Binjai, Tanggamus and Padang Pariaman.
Indonesia’s disaster agency BNPB report that almost 1,000 families have been affected by flooding in Binjai City, North Sumatra Province. Flooding began on 30 September after heavy rain caused the Bangkat and Mencirim rivers to overflow. Flood waters were up to 1.4 metres deep in some areas. Hundreds of homes were inundated. A total of 294 families were affected in South Binjai District and 553 families in Binjai Kota.
Meanwhile homes and roads were swamped after flooding in Semaka District, Tanggamus Regency Lampung province on 30 September. Around 3,357 people were affected.
Around 700 homes were flooded on 01 October 2020 in Padang Pariaman Regency, West Sumatra province, affecting 3,500 people.
