At least 225 people have died and dozens remain unaccounted for following devastating floods and landslides that struck three provinces on Indonesia’s Sumatra island this week. According to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the death toll may increase as rescue operations reach remote areas cut off by days of heavy rain.
BNPB chief Suharyanto stated, “There are still points we have not been able to enter. The data will continue to change.” The hardest-hit area is North Sumatra, where officials report 116 deaths and 42 people missing. The severe weather has triggered landslides, destroyed rural roads, and disrupted major transport routes across the region.
In the province of Aceh, located at Sumatra’s northern tip, authorities have confirmed 35 deaths, with 25 people missing and eight injured. Over 4,800 households have been evacuated, and nearly 100 shelters have been established in Lhokseumawe, the second-largest city in Aceh province. The flooding has also caused significant damage to the main transport corridor along Aceh’s eastern coast, including the collapse of a crucial bridge that connects the provincial capital, Banda Aceh, to its southern districts.
Meanwhile, in West Sumatra, the disaster agency reports 74 deaths, 12 missing, and four injured. More than 3,900 households are currently residing in temporary shelters. With forecasts indicating continued heavy rain, the government has initiated cloud-seeding flights aimed at mitigating the risk of further landslides and flash floods. Road access remains limited, and debris continues to obstruct rescue efforts.
Indonesia frequently experiences some of the world’s most intense monsoon rains, and experts warn that the frequency of extreme weather events is increasing as global temperatures rise. As rescue teams work tirelessly to reach affected communities, the full impact of this disaster is still unfolding.
