Five Regions in North Sumatra are in Danger of Avalanche

KBR68H, Medan - Five regions in North Sumatra are threatened by landslides. This is due to the mountainous and hilly slopes in Northern Sumatra still receiving rain through January 2013.

"The five areas that have become most threatened by an avalanche are Tanah Karo, Dairi, North Tapanuli, Central Tapanuli and Simalungun," said the head of field data and information at the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Region I Medan Polonia Airport station, Mega Sirait.

According to assessments made by Sirait, rainfall in North Sumatra, in Medan in particular, began to decline slightly compared to rainy conditions from December 2012. But he did not deny that until mid-January 2013, the precipitation (rain) is likely to increase, especially in mountainous areas such as Sembahe and Langkat, and especially the eastern coast of North Sumatra.

Therefore, according to Sirait, potential flooding of the river upstream requires monitoring the people who have settled along the banks of the river, such as Suingai Deli, Babura in Medan, in Langkat Wampu River, and the Snake River in Deli Serdang.

"The people of the east and west coasts of Sumatra need to be reminded to be aware of floods and landslides that will occur again in the future," said Sirait.

He also assessed hot temperatures, which are still classified as safe in this region. Medan's hot conditions during the day reached 32 to 33 degrees Celsius. While in the afternoon and evening, indeed until the morning, there will be even more localized rain in some areas of the field.