Heavy rains trigger major floods and landslides in South Nias, Sumatra

Heavy rain accompanied by strong winds caused flooding and landslides in several districts of South Nias on 11 December 2025.

According to Tempo, floodwaters in Ndraso Village, Maniamolo District, reached up to 1.5 metres, inundating homes and surrounding farmland.

Tempo reported that about 4 hectares of rice fields were submerged in the area. Flooding also hit Sifaoroasi Village in Gomo District, where the river rose by as much as 2.3 metres above its normal level.

The sudden rise in river flow swept away a resident’s hut. Tempo quoted the South Nias Police Chief, Ajun Komisaris Besar Ferry Mulyana Sunarya, as saying the weather had triggered soil movement at multiple points.

He stated that landslides occurred in Hilionaha Village, Onolalu District. Debris blocked the road shoulder, preventing cars and produce-carrying trucks from passing through the affected section.

Ferry told Tempo that police and local stations had been placed on alert to monitor the risk of further flooding and landslides. He added that the police were coordinating with the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) to conduct safe-evacuation briefings for residents.

Ferry also noted coordination with the national Search and Rescue Agency to deploy medical teams and traffic control personnel.

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency predicted moderate to heavy rain across the Nias Islands on 11 December.

RRI reported that BPBD South Nias recorded five disaster events on 10 December: one landslide and four floods across several districts. A landslide in Hilionaha Village blocked a section of the regency road.

Residents worked together to clear the mud and soil so vehicles could pass again.

RRI stated that in Orahili Gomo Village, Gomo District, flooding washed away one house and submerged 14 homes, a church, and a school.

Around 128 hectares of farmland and gardens were also affected. In Maniamolo District, flooding struck Pekan Soonogeu and Ndraso Hilisimaetano Village due to the overflow of the Eho River.

RRI noted that 25 houses, a school, and 200 hectares of paddy fields and gardens were submerged. Flooding also hit Hilindraso Village in Amandraya District, inundating 40 homes and damaging two bridges.

According to RRI, 100 metres of drainage and 50 metres of riverbank protection were also impacted by the overflow of the Jua and Eho rivers. Floods in Hume Village, Aramo District, affected seven homes, a church, and a school.

RRI reported that four districts experienced significant impact, affecting 179 households or 918 people.

Waspada noted that persistent heavy rain caused rivers to overflow in several areas on 10 December.

BPBD South Nias issued an Extreme Weather Alert for 8–15 December 2025, warning that ongoing heavy rain, strong winds, and rising river levels could lead to additional floods and landslides. The agency urged residents to stay alert and follow official safety instructions.

BPBD analyst Frans Ndruru confirmed to Waspada that landslides and floods disrupted road access. He stated that the road linking Telukdalam and Onolalu was cut off due to a landslide in Hili Omaha Village.

Waspada reported that the same road had partially collapsed near Hilimondegeraya weeks earlier. The most recent landslide left the route passable only to motorbikes.

Frans said limited heavy equipment was slowing the response because machinery had been diverted to Boronadu District. That district was also dealing with a landslide that blocked the route linking Gomo and Boronadu.

Waspada added that one person in Gomo District was swept away, though no fatalities were reported. In Maniamolo, 200 hectares of farmland and a school were affected by rising waters.

Flooding also hit Aramo and Amandraya Districts, inundating dozens of homes. Siduaori District was similarly affected when the Susua River overflowed.

Siduaori subdistrict head Taonasokhi Ndruru confirmed that no casualties had been identified so far.