Wednesday, 20 May 2026
TAPANULI SELATAN | INDATANEWS.COM – Prolonged heavy rainfall triggered a severe landslide on Monday (May 18, 2026) in the Batangtoru area, Tapanuli Selatan Regency. The disaster occurred in Lingkungan II, Wek I Urban Village, a hilly settlement, after intense downpours began in the late afternoon.
A mass of earth, rocks, and fallen trees slid down a steep slope, hitting a residential area and damaging a nearby drainage channel.Mother and Son Buried While Attempting Repairs
Read Also:Two residents, housewife Yasine Gulo and her son Sariman Gulo, were buried by the landslide and remain missing.
The family's youngest son, Viki Gulo, confirmed the incident. He said the event began around 6:00 p.m. local time when water started entering their home.
"When we saw water coming into the house, my brother went to the back to check the drainage. It was about 50 meters away, and the slope there is very steep and unstable," Viki said.Shortly after, their mother followed to help fix the blocked drainage and prevent further flooding.
"My brother went first. Not long after, my mother followed him. I saw them heading to the back of the house to deal with the water problem," he added.About 15 minutes later, a loud rumbling sound was heard from the hillside. Soil, rocks, and trees suddenly came down and buried the drainage area completely.
"I saw the landslide. Rocks were falling from above. I called out to them, but there was no response," he said tearfully.He added that the family grew increasingly worried after the two did not return for about two hours.
Joint Rescue Operation Faces Difficult TerrainBatangtoru Police Chief AKP Penggar M. Siboro said a joint team consisting of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), police, the Tapanuli Selatan Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), and local residents immediately launched a search operation after the incident was reported. However, the two victims have not yet been found.
Challenging Conditions Hamper Evacuation EffortsRescue teams are facing significant obstacles as access to the site is narrow, slippery due to continuous rain, and the soil remains unstable, making operations extremely hazardous.
Heavy machinery cannot be deployed, forcing search efforts to be conducted manually using shovels, crowbars, and ropes."The search is being carried out manually. We will report further developments once the victims are found," AKP Penggar M. Siboro said. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Darmailawati | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
