Sumatra-Flood
In late 2025, over the course of just two days, 24 and 25 November, large parts of Sumatra were struck by flash floods and landslides. The disaster arrived with little warning, leaving behind widespread destruction and deep loss.
According to data from Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) as of 14 January 2025, at least 1,190 people lost their lives, 141 remain missing, more than 131,500 residents were displaced, and 53 regencies and cities across the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra were affected.
In North Sumatra, particularly in Central Tapanuli and South Tapanuli, the impact was especially severe. At least 223 people were killed, 35 others were reported missing, and more than 9,000 residents were forced to flee their homes. Beyond destroyed homes, public infrastructure also collapsed, from healthcare centers and schools to vital bridges connecting entire communities.
In Garoga Village, Batangtoru District, South Tapanuli, the devastation felt almost absolute. What was once a living settlement now resembled a ghost town. Homes were swept away by the force of the floods and landslides, replaced by empty land blanketed with thick, dark-brown mud.
In the city of Sibolga, in Aek Manis Village, South Sibolga District, I met one of the survivors, Mr. Aminuddin (24th photo). He shared his story quietly. “I lost my beloved wife and my first child. My child had just gotten married two days before the disaster,” he said. “I feel as though half of my life is gone. I was fortunate to survive, even though half of my body was already buried in mud. This experience has taught me many lessons about life.”
Another survivor I met was Mr. Sudiarojeda (26th photo) from Parombunan Village. “When it happened, we couldn’t save anything,” he said. “The only thing left was the clothes I was wearing.” Today, he continues to search through the remains of his destroyed home, hoping to find anything that might still be usable.
Behind the numbers and statistics, this disaster has left stories of loss, resilience, and the quiet determination to stand again, one step at a time on ground that once gave way.
Disclaimer: The photographs in this story were fully supported by Habitat for Humanity Indonesia.
