Latest news Rain floods in Indonesia - almost 1,000 dead on Sumatra
After weeks of flooding and landslides in the north of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the death toll has risen to almost 1,000.
08.12.2025, 12:51
SDA
Almost one million people have been displaced from their homes, the National Disaster Management Board (BNPB) announced on Monday. Hundreds of people were also injured and more than 230 were reported missing.
According to the authority, 52 districts and cities were severely affected, particularly in the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra. Disaster management also recorded damage to more than 156,000 houses. According to the BNPB, Aceh is the hardest hit, with more than 900,000 people displaced throughout the province. President Prabowo Subianto visited the areas affected by the floods in Aceh on Sunday.
Sumatra is almost as large as Germany, Austria and Switzerland combined. The elongated island lies west of Malaysia on the equator and is repeatedly hit by natural disasters.
Devastating floods in other countries too
The rainy season in Indonesia, which normally peaks between November and April, often brings severe flooding. However, the most recent flood is considered to be one of the worst in recent years. Environmental groups and disaster experts have been warning for years that rapid deforestation, unregulated development and degraded river basins have increased the risks for communities in Sumatra.
More heavy rain is expected for parts of the island in the coming days. According to the authorities, a total of 3.3 million of the approximately 60 million inhabitants are affected by the flooding. Devastating rainfall had recently led to severe flooding in several countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia.
