ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — Devastating floods and landslides across Indonesia’s Sumatra Island have escalated into a large-scale humanitarian tragedy.
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) confirmed that at least 1,007 people have been killed, while 217 others remain missing as of Saturday, December 13, 2025.
The figures were released during a BNPB press briefing on the latest emergency response efforts in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, the three provinces hardest hit by the disaster. Officials warned that the death toll may continue to rise as evacuation, search, and identification efforts remain ongoing.
BNPB Head of Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Abdul Muhari said the sharp increase in fatalities was concentrated in those three provinces.
“The latest consolidated data show between 1,006 and 1,007 confirmed deaths, with the most significant changes coming from Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra,” Muhari said on Saturday.
Aceh Worst Affected
According to BNPB’s updated records, Aceh has suffered the highest number of fatalities, with 415 deaths, followed by North Sumatra with 349, and West Sumatra with 242.
Muhari explained that fluctuating figures reflect the complex conditions on the ground. In several cases, search teams recovered bodies that had been swept from burial sites by floodwaters, requiring additional verification against civil registration data.
“This verification process is crucial to ensure that the information released to the public is fully accurate and accountable,” he stressed.
217 People Still Missing
Beyond the confirmed deaths, 217 people are still officially listed as missing, down from 226 the previous day. The breakdown includes 34 missing in Aceh, 91 in North Sumatra, and 92 in West Sumatra.
Search and rescue operations continue, led by joint teams from BNPB, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), National Police, the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), volunteers, and local governments. However, efforts are hampered by rugged terrain and persistent extreme weather.
Hundreds of Thousands Displaced
The disaster has also forced hundreds of thousands of residents to flee their homes. BNPB reported a total of 654,642 people affected across the three provinces.
Aceh recorded the largest number, with 586,666 displaced residents, followed by North Sumatra with 55,679, and West Sumatra with 12,207.
Although some residents have begun returning home, the number of people still living in temporary shelters remains high at 199,508, scattered across emergency evacuation sites.
Calls for Faster Recovery and Stronger Mitigation
The tragedy ranks among Indonesia’s deadliest natural disasters in recent years, prompting public calls for the government to accelerate recovery efforts, strengthen disaster mitigation measures, and take firm action against environmental degradation believed to have worsened the impact of floods and landslides across Sumatra.
BNPB stated that humanitarian operations will continue until all victims are accounted for and the basic needs of survivors are fully met.
President Prabowo Says Sumatra Disaster Response Under Control
President Prabowo Subianto said disaster response efforts in the affected regions he visited over the past two days were generally under control.
“Yes, from what I have seen, the situation is under control. I continue to monitor developments. In some areas there are natural and physical constraints that cause slight delays, but I have checked the evacuation sites — conditions are good, services are adequate, and food supplies are sufficient,” Prabowo said at Soewondo Air Base, Medan, North Sumatra, on Saturday.
During his inspections, the President also reviewed areas that had been temporarily isolated, including Takengon and Bener Meriah Regency in Aceh.
Efforts to reopen access routes are ongoing, with several key infrastructures — including bridges in Bener Meriah — reported to be operational again. Road access in Aceh Tamiang has also been restored.
Prabowo expressed appreciation to all personnel involved in disaster response efforts for their work on the ground.
Regarding the affected communities, the President said residents have shown resilience and patience. The government, he added, has prepared plans to construct permanent housing for disaster victims.
“We have already planned housing allocations and other forms of support,” Prabowo said.
Over a two-day period, President Prabowo visited multiple flood and landslide disaster sites in Aceh and North Sumatra. On Friday, December 12, 2025, he inspected Aceh Tamiang, Takengon, and Bener Meriah Regency, followed on Saturday by a visit to Tanjung Pura District, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra.
These inspections were not his first. On December 1, Prabowo had visited disaster-hit areas in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, and returned to Aceh again on December 7 to reassess flood and landslide response efforts.
Minister of State Secretariat Prasetyo Hadi said the President’s repeated visits were intended to ensure swift disaster handling and to provide moral support to affected communities. (AT Network)
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