Heavy rain in Batam, Riau Islands, caused flooding in several areas on Tuesday (22 September 2026), with a Suzuki Ertiga swept into a drainage channel in Bengkong after water levels rose rapidly.
The incident took place in the Bengkong area as heavy rain increased the flow of water in a drainage channel beside a residential area. The vehicle had been parked near the edge of the drain before it was carried away by the strong current.
The car was later found overturned beneath a bridge connecting residential areas. No casualties were reported in the incident.
Car Swept Away by Strong Current
According to reports from the area, the rain began intensifying from late morning. The drainage channel beside the residential area could not contain the increased flow, causing water to spill over and create a strong current around the parked vehicle.
Kapolsek Bengkong AKP Tigor Sidabariba said police received a report of the incident at around noon. He said the heavy rain had caused the water level in the drain to rise significantly.
“During the heavy rain, water from above possibly overflowed and caused the drain to flood. Only one car was swept away, and at the time it was parked beside the residential drain,” Tigor said on Tuesday.
Residents reportedly attempted to stop the vehicle from being carried into the drain. However, the force of the water made it difficult to hold the car in place.
“There was an attempt by residents to hold the car so that it would not enter the drain. However, because the current was quite strong, the car was eventually swept away,” Tigor said.
Another report from the area quoted a local resident, Abraham, who described how quickly the vehicle was carried away.
“At around 12 noon the car was swept away and residents found it under the drainage culvert. The car was overturned in high water, and the current was very strong,” Abraham said.
The vehicle was reportedly damaged after being swept along by the water and hitting parts of the drainage channel. Reports from the scene said the body was scratched and the windscreen was broken.
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Vehicle Evacuated After Almost Two Hours
The vehicle was eventually evacuated with assistance from residents and officers. A lorry and crane were used to pull the overturned car from beneath the bridge and return it to the surface.
The evacuation process took almost two hours. A crane and lorry arrived at around 1.30pm, after which officers secured the vehicle with ropes before turning it over and lifting it from the drain. Another report said the car was successfully removed at around 2.35pm.
Tigor said the vehicle was damaged after being carried away by the floodwater.
“The condition of the car was overturned and damaged. The car was also carried away by the current,” he said.
He also urged residents to remain cautious during periods of heavy rain, particularly near drains and other areas where water levels can rise quickly.
“We saw quite a lot of rubbish around here. To the public, please dispose of rubbish properly and do not throw it into drains so that incidents like this do not happen again,” Tigor said.
The incident did not result in any reported deaths. Another account from the police said nearby homes were not inundated and described the incident as the result of water overflowing from the drain at that particular location, rather than widespread flooding across Batam.
The incident has also drawn attention to drainage conditions in Bengkong, where residents have previously reported flooding during periods of heavy rain. Local residents said strong currents can develop quickly when the drainage system reaches capacity.
With heavy rain capable of causing water levels to rise within a short period, residents and motorists have been advised to exercise caution around flooded roads, drainage channels and areas where water is flowing rapidly.
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