Aceh Flooding: State of Emergency Declared! Check Affected Locations Now

Aceh has declared a disaster emergency status as extensive flooding and landslides wreak havoc across numerous cities and regencies in the province. According to data from the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), tens of thousands of residents have been severely affected, critical buildings and public facilities have sustained heavy damage, and vital road access in several locations was completely cut off as of Thursday, November 27.

The Aceh Provincial Government formally established this disaster emergency status after an overwhelming majority of its cities and regencies bore the brunt of the floods and landslides. This emergency response period is set to last for 14 days, commencing from November 28 and concluding on December 11, 2025.

“I, the Governor of Aceh, have issued an Aceh Governor’s Decree officially declaring a hydrometeorological disaster emergency response status in Aceh for 2025,” announced Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf, also known as Mualem, following a plenary session at the Aceh Regional Legislative Council on Thursday, November 27.

Ten of the 23 cities and regencies within Aceh Province have proactively declared a flood emergency status. This follows a relentless period of heavy rains that battered the region from November 18 to 26, 2025. By Wednesday afternoon, the unfolding catastrophe had already compelled 1,497 individuals to evacuate their homes and tragically claimed two lives. Reports from the Aceh Disaster Management Agency (BPBA) in Banda Aceh underscore that, over the past week, a total of 10 cities and regencies have grappled with the devastating impacts of floods and landslides.

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Emergency Disaster Status: A List of Flood-Affected Locations in Aceh

Flooding in Aceh (ANTARA)

The extensive flooding in Aceh is primarily a consequence of relentless heavy rainfall coupled with strong winds, which have collectively triggered widespread inundation, ground movement, and landslides across numerous areas. Below is a detailed overview of some of the most significantly flood-affected areas in Aceh:

1. Bireuen Regency

In Bireuen Regency, floodwaters currently show no signs of receding and continue to submerge numerous residential areas. The primary road connecting Ara Lipeh Village to Alue Seumayam Hamlet, alongside access to local plantations, remains unrepaired and impassable along an eight-meter stretch. In Lhok Mambang Village, many residents whose homes are inundated have sought refuge in the local meunasah (communal prayer house) as an evacuation site, waiting for the water levels to subside.

This recent deluge has impacted three sub-districts and four villages: Makmur Sub-district (Ulee Glee, Leube Me, and Ara Lipeh Villages), as well as Samalanga and Gandapura Sub-districts. Lhok Mambang Village, in particular, has experienced a significantly severe impact.

“Based on the latest data compiled, a total of 956 households, comprising 2,272 individuals, have been directly affected. Additionally, 40 households, or 100 individuals, face the imminent threat of isolation as critical access routes begin to be submerged,” stated Abdul Muhari from BNPB.

While the inundation levels in Bireuen may not match the scale of other major Aceh floods, the material losses incurred are substantial. Twelve homes are currently submerged, and 20 homes are at high risk, with water levels fluctuating between 20-30 centimeters. These challenging conditions severely disrupt daily routines and impede mobility, especially along the submerged village roads.

2. Lhokseumawe City

In Lhokseumawe City, sustained and heavy rainfall has dramatically elevated water volumes, submerging numerous areas and causing widespread flooding. Inundation has been reported across four sub-districts, impacting a staggering 43 villages and severely disrupting daily life for residents.

Abdul Muhari, Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center, highlighted Banda Sakti Sub-district as the most extensively affected zone. Numerous villages within this sub-district, such as Tumpok Teungoh, Simpang Empat, Lhokseumawe, Pusong Baru, Banda Masem, Hagu Barat Laut, Kampung Jawa Baru, Hagu Selatan, Hagu Teungoh, Kampung Jawa Lama, Kuta Blang, Lancang Garam, Keude Aceh, Mon Geudong, Ujong Blang, Ulee Jalan, Pusong Lama, and Uteun Bayi, are now underwater.

“Similar dire situations are unfolding in Blang Mangat Sub-district, affecting Mesjid Punteut, Blang Punteut, Kumbang Punteut, Rayeuk Kareung, Asan Kareung, Mane Kareung, Blang Buloh, Blang Weu Baroh, Alue Lim, Baloi, Blang Cut, and Blang Teue,” Muhari further elaborated in his official statement on Thursday.

The sub-districts of Muara Dua and Muara Satu have also not been spared, with several villages including Panggoi, Paya Bili, Uteun Kot, Gampong, Blang Poroh, Mns Mee, Cot Girek, Paya Punteut, Mns Alue, Mns Mesjid, Padang, Cot Tring, Paloh Dayah, Ujong Pacu, and Blang Pulo now submerged beneath floodwaters.

To date, approximately 100 households have been forced to evacuate to safer ground. This number is continually increasing, as many affected regions remain largely inaccessible to emergency responders and aid workers.

3. Aceh Singkil

In Aceh Singkil Regency, the latest reports paint a grim picture, with floods persistently inundating areas across seven sub-districts. The relentlessly rising water levels have pushed several regions into a critical category, particularly low-lying villages situated directly in the path of the floodwaters.

The human toll continues to mount as the disaster’s reach expands. As of this report, a staggering 6,579 households, totaling 25,827 individuals, have been officially recorded as affected, with 684 of these households already compelled to evacuate.

The majority of those displaced have sought temporary shelter with relatives or in designated public facilities, as their submerged homes are no longer habitable. Singkil Sub-district bears the brunt of the devastation, experiencing the most extensive impact, while comprehensive data collection efforts in other villages are still underway.

The scale of material losses is immense, encompassing approximately 6,000 submerged homes. Furthermore, critical infrastructure has suffered extensive damage, including various educational facilities, places of worship, healthcare services, and road networks. Numerous transportation arteries are now impassable, effectively cutting off inter-village connections and key national road sections in North Singkil and Danau Paris Sub-districts. Although some landslide sites have been cleared, several critical locations still await urgent attention.

4. Aceh Barat (West Aceh)

West Aceh Regency is grappling with extensive flooding, which has submerged residential areas across four sub-districts and impacted a total of 16 villages. The affected zones include Sungai Mas Sub-district (Lancong, Tungkop, Leubok Beutong, Gampong Kajeng, Geudong, Gleng, Gunong Buloh, and Gaseu), and Arongan Lambalek Sub-district, particularly Teupin Peuraho Village. Severe flood conditions are also reported in Woyla Timur Sub-district, impacting Seuradeuk, Pasi Ara, Rambong, and Baro Villages.

Furthermore, Pante Ceureumen Sub-district has also been hit, with Canggai, Keutambang, and Seumantok Villages reporting significant inundation.

“The rising water levels in these regions are severely hampering community activities, blocking off crucial road sections, and significantly disrupting vehicle movement,” stated Muhari.

At least 183 households have been recorded as directly affected victims, with approximately 33 families compelled to abandon their homes and evacuate to safer ground.

“Beyond submerging residential properties, the floods have caused substantial physical damage, including 183 inundated houses, an affected sub-district office, and two critical road access points that are no longer operational. The comprehensive data collection process is still active, as several areas remain completely inaccessible,” he added.

Latest reports indicate that water discharge in the Krueng Woyla and Meureubo river basins continues to escalate. Access from Seumantok village, a sub-district hub, is completely cut off, while the route to Pasi Ara remains submerged. A number of residents have also been forced to evacuate to Kubu Capang Village.

In Sungai Mas Sub-district, average water levels have reached approximately 130 cm, though this varies between villages. Meanwhile, areas surrounding Woyla Timur Sub-district have reported water depths of up to one meter.

5. Aceh Utara (North Aceh)

In Aceh Utara Regency, the floods show no immediate signs of receding. On-the-ground conditions remain dire and severely constrained due to widespread communication network outages, crippling PLN electricity blackouts, and the complete halt of operations in several government offices. This compounding situation has drastically slowed down critical data collection efforts and the overall emergency response.

The pervasive disaster has impacted a staggering 17 sub-districts, engulfing a total of 130 villages. The extensive list of affected areas includes Tanah Jambo Aye, Muara Batu, Langkahan, Seunuddon, Baktya, Syamtalira Aron, Samudera, Baktya Barat, Matangkuli, Banda Baro, Lhoksukon, Lapang, Dewantara, Pirak Timu, Sawang, and Nibong Sub-districts.

“A total of 2,668 households, representing 4,441 individuals, have been recorded as affected, with 1,270 households, or 3,507 individuals, forced to evacuate to safer areas. The material damage is extensive, including 2,668 affected homes: three severely damaged, 17 moderately damaged, and six lightly damaged by floods, all currently undergoing verification. Furthermore, the disaster has caused abrasion on one main road, submerged approximately 420 hectares of vital agricultural land, and inundated 571 fishponds across 15 villages in Seunuddon Sub-district,” he disclosed.

6. Aceh Timur (East Aceh)

East Aceh Regency has been struck by a fresh wave of flooding, occurring after waters had briefly receded. This recurrence was triggered by intense heavy rainfall since November 20, compounded by strong winds, causing several rivers to overflow their banks. Water levels, now ranging from 10 to 40 centimeters, have inundated residential areas, public facilities, and essential infrastructure.

The impact of these Aceh floods is vast, encompassing 17 sub-districts and a total of 124 villages. The worst-affected regions include Simpang Ulim, Nurussalam, Madat, Indra Makmur, Ranto Peureulak, Julok, Pante Bidari, Birem Bayeun, Sungai Raya, and several other sub-districts. According to initial data, a staggering 7,972 households, or 29,706 individuals, have been affected, with detailed victim distribution being meticulously recorded in each village.

“A significant number of residents have been forced to abandon their homes, seeking temporary shelter in mosques, meunasah, or with relatives and neighbors. The total number of displaced individuals currently stands at 920 households, representing 2,456 people,” Muhari reported.

The material damage in East Aceh is equally substantial. A reported 7,972 homes are submerged and are still undergoing assessment. Two houses have suffered severe damage, one moderate damage, and several public facilities are impacted, including two places of worship and three schools – notably, one mosque sustained damage to its facade. Road infrastructure has also been compromised, with two main access routes severed, one bridge damaged, and agricultural land along with one commercial establishment reported to have incurred heavy damage.

In summary, the pervasive flood-affected areas in Aceh are spread across numerous regencies and cities, including North Aceh, East Aceh, Aceh Singkil, Bireuen, and West Aceh. The primary catalysts for this extensive disaster are persistently high rainfall, ferocious winds, and unstable geological conditions, which have also led to numerous landslides. The devastating impact is being felt by thousands of households, resulting in widespread damage to homes, public facilities, roads, and vital agricultural land, while hundreds of residents have been compelled to join the ranks of the evacuated, seeking safety in temporary shelters.