Medan/Jakarta, November 30, 2025 — Indonesia’s disaster authorities confirmed on Sunday that the death toll from the catastrophic floods and landslides that struck Sumatra island has risen to 442, with over 400 people still missing as emergency crews struggle to reach isolated regions cut off by collapsed roads and washed-out bridges.
Days of relentless monsoon rain, intensified by a rare tropical storm over the Malacca Strait, triggered massive surges in rivers and caused widespread landslides across North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh. Entire villages were inundated within minutes, leaving residents with little warning.
Widespread Devastation Across Provinces
Hundreds of houses, schools and public buildings have been destroyed or severely damaged. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced, many of them forced into makeshift shelters after their homes were swept away. Authorities estimate that in several districts — particularly Central Tapanuli and Sibolga — entire communities remain unreachable due to blocked access routes and destroyed infrastructure.
Communication networks are still down in several highland and coastal zones, making real-time assessment extremely difficult.
Rescue Operations and Aid Deployment
Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), supported by the military, police and volunteer teams, has intensified search-and-rescue operations. With many roads completely impassable, the government has deployed helicopters for air-drops and two navy warships to deliver food, drinking water, medical supplies, and fuel to areas now accessible only by sea.
Rescue personnel continue to dig through thick mud, debris, and collapsed structures in the hope of locating survivors.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
Shortages of essentials — particularly clean water, food and medicines — have been reported across several isolated localities. Some desperate residents have reportedly forced open shuttered shops to secure basic goods, prompting authorities to deploy security teams to maintain order.
Humanitarian agencies warn that the combination of contaminated water, overcrowded shelters, and a lack of sanitation could lead to outbreaks of respiratory and water-borne diseases.
Fears of Rising Toll
Officials caution that the number of dead and missing is likely to rise further as rescue teams gain access to more devastated zones. Many areas remain buried under landslides or are still inaccessible due to ongoing rain and unstable hill slopes.
The Indonesian government has urged residents in vulnerable districts to remain on alert for further flooding or secondary landslides as heavy rainfall continues.
