Aceh, Sumatera Floods and Landslides: When Water Swallows Homes and Hopes

The heavy rain that has been relentless since the end of November 2025 is not just a matter of numbers in the weather report. For the residents of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, it was the beginning of nites filled with anxiety, as the strong currents of water began to knock down house fences, submerge roads, and separate families from the comforts of daily life. At the beginning of the incident, hundreds of homes were already affected. Now, after several weeks have passed, the death toll continues to rise and the trail of destruction is becoming increasingly visible in the corners of the affected settlements. According to BNPB data, the number of fatalities from flash floods and landslides has reached 1,129, with hundreds of thousands of residents displaced to evacuation sites for their safety.

For Rina (35), a mother from North Aceh, the first morning after the floodwaters receded was the most heartbreaking time. The house that for decades witnessed the laughter of his children now only has muddy floors and walls that no longer stand straight. "We lost everything in a matter of hours," he said, staring at the soaking wet remains of his clothes. Similar stories are heard from other families in North Sumatra, where residents are forced to sleep in evacuation tents with thousands of others, waiting for a bag of rice, a blanket, and a little peace amidst the sound of rain that sometimes reminds them of fearful nights.

It's not just the loss of life and material damage that makes this tragedy so heavy. Environmental experts say this disaster is not solely due to heavy rainfall – an extreme natural factor – but also an accumulation of land use changes over decades. Deforestation in the watershed prevents rainwater from being absorbed naturally, causing it to flow faster and become uncontrollable when it falls in large quantities. "Extreme rainfall is indeed the peak, but the loss of forest cover upstream exacerbates the impact of this flood," said one environmental researcher.

Emergency response efforts are now underway at various affected points. Volunteers, the Indonesian military and police, as well as social organizations, are working day and nite to distribute logistical aid, reopen road access, and evacuate residents who are still trapped. Solidarity also grew from various directions; local communities, student organizations, and humanitarian organizations all came to provide assistance, from ready-to-eat meals to psychosocial support for children who had lost their sense of security. Nevertheless, the need for assistance is still very great – from food and clean water to adequate healthcare – because many villages are still isolated and difficult to reach.

What is happening in Aceh and Sumatra today is not just statistical figures or ordinary disaster news. This is a glimpse into how disasters can change the face of a community in an instant, and how resilience and solidarity are key to bouncing back. Long-term recovery is also being planned, including rebuilding homes for residents who lost their homes. However, for some families, the journey back to normal life is still long and challenging.