The death toll from devastating floods in North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh has tragically climbed to 303. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), in close coordination with all levels of local government, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), and a dedicated force of volunteers, is intensely focused on critical operations. These efforts include the urgent search and rescue of victims, ensuring the basic needs of displaced populations are met, reopening access to isolated areas, and accelerating the distribution of vital logistics via both land and air routes.
Of the total fatalities, North Sumatra accounts for 166 lives lost, Aceh for 47, and West Sumatra for 90. The situation in North Sumatra remains particularly critical, with 143 individuals initially reported missing. The most severe impacts are concentrated in the districts of Tapanuli Tengah, Tapanuli Selatan, and the city of Sibolga.
“North Sumatra’s death toll has now reached 166. In just one day, an additional 60 victims were recovered thanks to the intensive search and rescue operations led by Basarnas and the joint team. Furthermore, 103 individuals are still reported missing,” stated Suharyanto, quoted from a written statement on Sunday, November 30.
Meanwhile, thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate to various shelters due to extensive damage to their homes and severed access routes. Thousands of people are displaced in Tapanuli Selatan and Sibolga, while hundreds to thousands of households have sought refuge in Mandailing Natal, Tapanuli Utara, and Humbang Hasundutan.
Aid Must Come By Air
Transportation infrastructure across the affected regions has suffered severe damage. The national roads connecting Sibolga–Padang Sidempuan and Sibolga–Tarutung are completely impassable, blocked by landslides at numerous points. Several key bridges, including Pandan Bridge and those along the Sibolga–Manduamas route, have also collapsed or been swept away.
Additionally, various district roads are cut off and remain impassable for repairs due to the challenging terrain. In Mandailing Natal, at least seven areas are isolated, with inter-province routes completely blocked. Some villages can only be reached using heavy equipment or air transport.
To expedite the emergency response, BNPB and other ministries/agencies have deployed a range of essential assets, including five helicopters. These helicopters are strategically stationed at Silangit Airport to facilitate the distribution of logistics to Tapanuli Tengah and other isolated areas.
“For instance, Sibolga remained inaccessible by land for the first three days of the emergency response, but we have successfully established air access for logistics distribution,” Suharyanto explained.
Aceh Death Toll Likely to Rise
On the second day following the declaration of an emergency response status in Aceh Province, the official count stood at 47 fatalities, 51 missing persons, and 8 injured. The number of displaced individuals is significant, reaching 48,887 households scattered across various regions, with the highest concentrations in North Aceh, Bener Meriah, Central Aceh, and Aceh Singkil.
“In Aceh, we have 47 confirmed deaths, 51 still missing, and 8 injured. These figures are subject to change as joint SAR operations continue and more victims may be found,” Suharyanto clarified.
Extensive damage to bridges and national roads has severely disrupted primary access routes, including the Banda Aceh–Lhokseumawe corridor and the Aceh–North Sumatra border crossing in Aceh Tamiang. To date, several areas such as Gayo Lues, Central Aceh, and Bener Meriah are still unreachable by land.
BNPB has activated emergency communication support by deploying Starlink satellite networks in several strategic locations, particularly in areas where conventional networks are down. Logistics are being delivered via air using helicopters and Cessna Caravan aircraft to reach regions that remain inaccessible by ground transport.
Presidential aid, including communication tools, tents, generators, rubber boats, ready-to-eat meals, and family essential kits, has arrived in Aceh. A significant portion of these supplies has already been distributed to 17 affected districts and cities. Two BNPB helicopters have also been deployed from Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport to support distribution to critical points.
Tens of Thousands Displaced
Meanwhile, two days after the declaration of an emergency response status in West Sumatra Province, the disaster has resulted in 90 deaths, 85 missing persons, and 10 injuries. Agam Regency has recorded the highest number of casualties in the province.
“The death toll stands at 90, with 85 missing and 10 injured,” Suharyanto detailed.
Preliminary data indicates that approximately 11,820 households, or about 77,918 individuals, have been displaced, primarily in Padang City and Pesisir Selatan Regency. Several provincial and national routes are impassable due to landslides and damaged bridges, severely hampering logistics distribution. Despite these challenges, essential supplies from Padang Pariaman and Pesisir Selatan have arrived, and eight additional delivery points are in the process of receiving aid under police escort.
BNPB has deployed 24 personnel to assist and accelerate the response efforts in West Sumatra. Emergency aid from the President of Indonesia, including communication tools, generators, tents, LCR boats, and thousands of boxes of ready-to-eat food, has reached Minangkabau Airport. A Caravan aircraft and a Bell 505 helicopter have also been mobilized to support distribution to areas unreachable by land.
BNPB reaffirms its commitment to accelerating all emergency response efforts through seamless coordination with local governments, ministries/agencies, the TNI, Polri, and dedicated volunteers. The top priorities for disaster response operations across the three provinces remain the rapid reopening of access, continued data collection on victims and damage, and ensuring the basic needs of affected communities are met.
Summary
The devastating floods in North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh have tragically claimed 303 lives, with many still missing across the three provinces. Extensive damage to national roads and bridges has paralyzed land access, isolating numerous areas and forcing thousands to evacuate. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is coordinating urgent search and rescue operations, ensuring basic needs, and distributing vital logistics via both land and air.
North Sumatra recorded 166 fatalities and 103 missing, particularly affecting Tapanuli Tengah, Tapanuli Selatan, and Sibolga, where roads remain impassable. In Aceh, 47 deaths and 51 missing are reported, with nearly 49,000 households displaced. West Sumatra accounts for 90 deaths and 85 missing, displacing over 77,000 individuals, and like other regions, heavily relies on air transport for aid due to destroyed infrastructure.
