HistoryData
general2020

Flash floods in Medan, December

January 1, 2020

Floods across Indonesia and Malaysia in November 2020 killed at least eight, injured 5,000, and displaced thousands across multiple regions.

Quick Facts

Year
2020
Category
general

Key Facts

Deaths (North Sumatra)
8 people
Injured (North Sumatra)
5,000 people
Properties damaged
over 2,000 properties
People affected in Aceh
over 8,000 people
People affected in Malaysia
over 2,000 people
Event duration
3–8 November 2020

By the Numbers

8people
Deaths (North Sumatra)
5,000people
Injured (North Sumatra)
2,000properties
Properties damaged
8,000people
People affected in Aceh

Location

Map of Medan, IndonesiaMap of Medan, IndonesiaMedan, Indonesia

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

A convergence zone formed by Cyclone Burevi, which was active near Sri Lanka, combined with a low-pressure area in the Philippines. This meteorological interaction produced sustained heavy rainfall over parts of Indonesia and Malaysia during early November 2020.

Event

From 3 to 8 November 2020, floods and flash floods struck multiple areas in Indonesia and Malaysia. North Sumatra and Aceh were severely impacted, as were four states in Malaysia. The Indonesian island of Java also experienced flooding, though to a lesser degree.

Consequence

The flooding killed eight people in North Sumatra, injured roughly 5,000, and damaged more than 2,000 properties there. Over 8,000 people were affected in Aceh, and more than 2,000 across four Malaysian states. Mass evacuations were carried out in all affected regions.

Timeline Context

Timeline around 202020202017201820192021202220232020 in film — overview of film-related events during the year of 2020Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2020 — 18th annual Junior Eurovision Song Contest2020s — decade (2020–2029)January 2020 — month of 2020Eurovision Song Contest 2020 — cancelled 2020 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest2025–2026 Iranian protests — 2025–2026 protests against the Islamic Republic2020 Formula One World Championship — 71st running of the Formula One World ChampionshipPrelude to the Russian invasion of Ukraine — Russian preparation for the invasion since March 20212020-indonesia-and-malaysia-floods-2020