Director of Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency, Suharyanto, warned of the potential dangers of looting in the Tamyang district of Aceh, as well as the cutting off of supply routes, making it difficult for aid to reach those affected. Aid operations have had to adapt to the conditions, and supplies are planned to be shipped by sea to the city of Sibolga, with a naval ship from Medan loaded with food expected to arrive in the area next week, according to the IDN Times. Amid these logistical complications, extraordinary rains that lasted for several days caused river overflows, massive floods and the forced displacement of thousands of families, while the death toll continues to rise.
As reported by the IDN Times news portal, the number of people killed by floods on the island of Sumatra has increased significantly in recent hours and has already reached 303 victims, while 143 others are still missing. BNPB provided a regional breakdown of deaths: North Sumatra reported 166 deaths, Aceh 47, and West Sumatra 90, reflecting the scale of the impact in these regions. Furthermore, the number of missing people is particularly alarming, with the fate of 51 people in Aceh and 85 in West Sumatra still unknown. The authorities do not rule out that the number will continue to increase as search and rescue operations progress, given the continued uncertainty about the whereabouts of many people.
The progress of rescue missions enabled the location of more than 60 bodies after intensifying work in the affected areas. Suharyanto, quoted by IDN Times, highlighted this increase in the daily number of victims thanks to the deployment of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas). The scope of the disaster covers at least eight of the country’s 25 provinces, and the Central Tapanuli region, in North Sumatra, is one of the worst affected. In this area, more than 1,100 families were forced to seek refuge in sports facilities, after losing their homes due to rising river water levels.
IDN Times also reported that the situation in Aceh and West Sumatra is showing similar consequences, with thousands of homes damaged. Official figures compiled by The Jakarta Post indicate that more than 3,200 properties, including homes and buildings, have been flooded, while nearly 3,000 families have moved in search of housing alternatives over the past week. Many homes were almost completely submerged under water, demonstrating the seriousness of the conditions facing residents and the extent of the damage.
The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency issued a warning about the possibility of continued rainfall and the impact of a tropical cyclone in the province. As highlighted by The Jakarta Post, this phenomenon keeps adverse weather conditions active and could extend the state of emergency for several more days. Weather forecasts increase concerns about the difficulty of accessing isolated areas, the continuation of floods, and the disruption of basic services.
BNPB authorities have insisted on the need to strengthen coordination of relief efforts, equip rescue teams and reorganize the distribution of food, drinking water and other basic resources, depending on access restrictions and deteriorating roads. As reported by The Jakarta Post, some areas remain completely collapsed by water, limiting mobility and complicating the arrival of assistance to those who remain isolated or unable to leave their homes.
The disaster record is concentrated on the island of Sumatra, whose territory was affected by unusually heavy rains, increasing the vulnerability of urban and rural settlements. This phenomenon not only caused loss of human lives, but also changed the daily lives of those who had to leave their homes due to the impending danger. Many families face scarcity of resources, unstable temporary accommodation conditions, and uncertainty about the next few days, as the weather is not expected to improve immediately.
According to information collected by The Jakarta Post, reconstruction and humanitarian assistance efforts are in a preliminary stage in the face of the emergency, with a focus on saving lives, providing aid and ensuring security in areas in critical situations. Local and national authorities are mobilizing additional resources in anticipation that the number of people affected and deaths will continue to increase, while the threat of new rains and the presence of a tropical cyclone further complicate stabilization of the region.