Situation Report #8 - Floods and Landslides in Aceh Province, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra - Thursday, 13 December 2025

Situation Report VIII

Saturday, 13 December 2025

FLOODS AND LANDSLIDES IN ACEH PROVINCE, NORTH SUMATRA PROVINCE, AND WEST SUMATRA PROVINCE 2025

Key Information

1. Floods and landslides have affected three provinces and fifty two regencies or cities, resulting in damage to more than 158,000 houses and the displacement of approximately 900,000 people.
2. Although floodwaters have receded in some areas, many residents remain unable to return home because sand and mud left by flash floods have filled houses to depths of up to two meters.
3. As of Saturday, 13 December 2025, fatalities due to floods and landslides have increased to 1,006 deaths, with 217 people reported missing and more than 5,400 people injured.
4. Access routes to several affected areas, including Aceh Tamiang, Central Aceh, Gayo Lues, Langkat, Sibolga, and South Tapanuli, were previously completely cut off. Gradually, access has been restored by air, and land routes are now passable for vehicles.
5. Situation Overview

Floods and landslides that struck Sumatra in late November 2025 have caused extensive humanitarian impacts. The disaster was driven by several interrelated factors. Extreme rainfall was the primary trigger, with northern Sumatra experiencing continuous heavy rainfall over several days. According to data from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), rainfall in some areas exceeded 300 millimeters within a single day. Atmospheric phenomena, including Tropical Cyclone Senyar forming over the Malacca Strait, further intensified rainfall. Recorded wind speeds reached 80 kilometers per hour, increasing moisture supply into the region. Environmental degradation due to land use change significantly worsened flood impacts. The Deputy Minister of Public Works explained that declining vegetation cover has reduced soil absorption capacity, causing rainwater to flow rapidly into rivers and trigger severe flooding.

According to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) official dashboard as of 13 December 2025 at 20.00 Western Indonesia Time, the disaster resulted in 1,006 deaths, 217 people missing, more than 5,400 injured, and approximately 900,000 displaced persons. Infrastructure damage is extensive and includes 158000 houses, 1200 public facilities, 219 health facilities, 581 education facilities, 434 places of worship, 290 office buildings, 145 bridges. These impacts have disrupted education, health services, community mobility, and local economic activity. BNPB has cautioned that figures may continue to rise because several affected areas remain inaccessible to response teams. Human Initiative Emergency Response teams have coordinated closely with local volunteers, Regional Disaster Management Agencies (BPBD), and local governments, while delivering emergency assistance across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.