174 Orang Meninggal Imbas Banjir dan Longsor Aceh, Sumut, Sumbar

A devastating toll of 174 lives has been claimed by recent floods and landslides across Aceh, North Sumatra (Sumut), and West Sumatra (Sumbar), according to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) data released on Friday, November 28.

The grim statistics reveal the extent of the tragedy:

• North Sumatra bears the heaviest burden with 116 fatalities, distributed across:

1. North Tapanuli Regency: 11
2. Central Tapanuli Regency: 47
3. South Tapanuli and Sibolga City: 17
4. Humbang Hasundutan Regency: 6
5. Padangsidimpuan City: 1
6. Pakpak Bharat: 2
7. Unspecified areas: 32

1. Bener Meriah: 11
2. Southeast Aceh: 6
3. Central Aceh: 15
4. Gayo Lues: 1
5. Subulussalam: 1
6. Lhokseumawe: 1

Beyond the confirmed fatalities, dozens remain unaccounted for, sparking urgent search efforts. The breakdown of missing persons includes:

• North Sumatra: 42
• West Sumatra: 12
• Aceh: 25

Meanwhile, the number of injured individuals requiring medical attention stands at:

• North Sumatra: Data not yet specified
• West Sumatra: 4
• Aceh: 8

BNPB Chief Lieutenant General Suharyanto noted that casualty reports from Mandailing Natal Regency are still pending. He emphasized that all reported figures for fatalities are provisional, as rescue teams are yet to reach several remote affected areas. “It is indicated that in the inaccessible landslide-affected areas, there may also be human casualties. Therefore, we will update these figures daily,” Suharyanto stated during a press conference broadcast on the BNPB Indonesia YouTube channel on Friday, November 28. He added, “Compared to North Sumatra and Aceh, West Sumatra has been relatively less impacted.”

Thousands Displaced Across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra

A silver lining has emerged with improving weather conditions, significantly aiding ongoing disaster management efforts across the three affected provinces. Suharyanto noted that today’s clear skies are facilitating more progressive search and rescue operations, evacuations, and aid distribution.

The BNPB has also provided an update on the extensive displacement. In North Sumatra alone, the floods and landslides that struck on November 25 have forced over 1,000 families (KK) to evacuate their homes.

Detailed reports from North Sumatra indicate:

• In North Tapanuli, approximately 600 families have sought refuge in a church building located along the Tarutung–Sibolga connecting road.
• Central Tapanuli’s displaced population is largely housed in the local government’s sports hall. While numbers peaked at around 1,100 families overnight, they typically decreased to about 600 families during the day as some residents ventured out to inspect and clear blocked routes, Suharyanto explained.
• South Tapanuli has seen around 250 families displaced.
• Sibolga City recorded approximately 200 displaced families.
• In Humbang Hasundutan, 150 families have evacuated from high-risk areas.
• Mandailing Natal emerges as one of the most severely impacted regions, with an estimated total of 1,500 families dispersed across five different evacuation points.

Aceh also faces a significant humanitarian challenge, with the latest BNPB report confirming 4,846 families displaced across various affected districts and cities. Evacuees include residents from 10 sub-districts in Bener Meriah Regency, 14 sub-districts in Southeast Aceh, and 12 sub-districts in Central Aceh.

In West Sumatra, Suharyanto reported a total of 3,900 families seeking shelter. The BNPB has identified Padang Pariaman, Tanah Datar, Solok Regency, and Padang City as some of the most significantly affected areas. Padang Pariaman alone accounts for the largest number of displaced persons in the province, with approximately 3,208 families. Solok City has approximately 600 families in evacuation centers, while other areas report dozens of families displaced across several points.

The scale of destruction extends to critical infrastructure. “Similar to North Sumatra and Aceh, transportation routes still require significant repairs to be reconnected,” Suharyanto emphasized. As of today, five bridges have been damaged in Padang Pariaman alone, further complicating relief efforts and access to affected communities.