Catastrophic floods devastate Indonesia as death toll surpasses 900

Saturday 06 December 2025 - 14:00

By: Sahili Aya

Catastrophic floods devastate Indonesia as death toll surpasses 900

More than 900 people have died in destructive floods and landslides across Indonesia’s Sumatra Island, according to an updated report released Saturday by the national disaster management agency. Over 3.3 million residents have been affected, while one million evacuees are currently sheltered in temporary facilities.

The disaster is part of a wider series of tropical storms and monsoon rains that have struck several Asian countries over the past week, causing around 1,790 deaths across Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

In Sumatra alone, at least 908 people have been confirmed dead, while over 400 remain missing. Officials warn that the toll could rise further as food shortages hit isolated areas in the province of Aceh, where roads and villages have been severely damaged.

Aceh’s governor, Muzakir Manaf, described the region as “completely devastated” and urged the national government to accelerate emergency support. “People are not only suffering from the floods — they are suffering from hunger,” he said, emphasizing the urgent need for essential supplies.

Survivors recount spending days trapped in damaged buildings, sharing limited food and water. Many have expressed frustration toward authorities for not declaring a national disaster, a move that could unlock broader international assistance.

In Sri Lanka, where the government has already requested global support, officials report 607 deaths and more than 200 missing, describing the situation as the most severe natural disaster in the country’s history. Colombo has pledged financial aid for displaced families and is seeking an additional $200 million from the International Monetary Fund to strengthen its recovery efforts.