Massive Floods and Landslides Hit Sibolga Again, Echoing a Deadly Disaster From 1956

 

Jakarta — Severe floods and landslides struck the coastal city of Sibolga on Monday (24/11) and Tuesday (25/11), bringing mudflows, fallen trees, debris, and household waste that damaged infrastructure and cut off major road access. While residents are struggling with the latest disaster, history reminds us that similar tragedies have devastated this region before.

Nearly six decades ago, Sibolga was hit by one of the deadliest floods in its history. The catastrophic event occurred on Saturday, July 22, 1956. That evening, residents were going about their weekend routines—some out on leisure activities, others resting at home—when the weather suddenly turned.

According to Indische Courant voor Nederland (30 July 1956), a loud rumble preceded an intense, unexpected storm.




Merdeka (23 July 1956) noted that although rain had been falling lightly in the days prior, it was the sudden downpour that triggered extreme flooding. The heavy rain overwhelmed the rivers, causing water levels to rise rapidly.

As detailed by Indische Courant voor Nederland, the floodwaters engulfed two-thirds of the city near the Aek Habil River in just two minutes, giving residents little to no chance to escape.

Indonesia Raja (24 July 1956) described scenes of chaos:




At least 38 people were confirmed dead, including a newlywed couple discovered beneath the mud still wearing their wedding attire. The real death toll was likely higher, as many families reported missing relatives believed to have been swept away.

When the waters receded, the scale of destruction became clear. Thousands of homes were destroyed, bridges collapsed, and road access between regions was completely severed. Waspada (25 July 1956) reported that plantations, farms, and clean water facilities were left in ruins, leaving thousands homeless and facing shortages of food and drinking water. Losses were estimated at more than 50 million rupiah, an enormous sum at the time.

The government declared Sibolga a military emergency zone to accelerate evacuation and recovery efforts. According to Merdeka (25 July 1956), the disaster was believed to have been triggered by landslides caused by intense rainfall, which blocked the Aek Habil and Aek Doras rivers, resulting in a sudden and powerful overflow.

Aid from across Indonesia soon poured in, including financial support from national leaders.

Now, as floods and landslides return to Sibolga in 2025, the past serves as a stark reminder that the region remains vulnerable to natural disasters. The repeated events underscore the urgent need for stronger mitigation strategies and long-term resilience planning.