Aceh Utara Flooding Sweeps Away Four Bridges, Cutting Village Access

Heavy rains on July 24, 2026 caused severe flooding in Desa Sawang, Kecamatan Sawang, Aceh Utara, Indonesia. The flood washed away four main bridges linking Sawang to the villages of Lhok Cut, Kubut, Blang Cut, and Gunci, completely halting road transport between them.

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) confirmed that a joint emergency team has been deployed to the affected area. BNPB’s head of data, information and communication, Abdul Muhari, said field officers are coordinating with the local disaster management office (BPBD), district authorities and other agencies to provide emergency assistance, set up temporary crossing solutions, and begin phased reconstruction of the damaged bridges. He emphasized the need for continued community vigilance against hydrometeorological hazards during the dry season.

The incident is described as an anomalous weather event occurring amid the usual dry‑season forest‑fire risks, highlighting the broader challenge of managing multiple disaster threats in the region.