Extreme rainfall triggered the disaster, but experts and civil society organizations assessed that the massive level of destruction was the result of a combination of bad weather and ecological vulnerability due to forest degradation in upstream areas. The large number of fatalities resulting from this disaster makes it the deadliest natural disaster in Indonesia since the 2018 Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami, which killed 4,340 people.[5][6][7]
The disaster caused material losses and casualties on a massive scale. According to official data updates released by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) as of 11 December 2025, at least 969 people were reported dead and 252 others missing. Additionally, 5,000 people were injured in the disaster.[8] The disaster is estimated to have directly affected more than 3.3 million residents and forced up to 1 million people to evacuate, spread across 50 regencies/cities in the three affected provinces.
In North Sumatra, at least 311 people died, and 165 people went missing due to floods and landslides across the province.[18] BNPB data also reported that 3,500 houses were severely damaged, 4,100 houses moderately damaged, 20,500 houses lightly damaged. Furthermore, 271 bridges were damaged, and up to 282 educational facilities were damaged.[19] The worst-affected areas include Central Tapanuli Regency with 88 fatalities and 112 missing persons,[20] 81 fatalities and 33 missing persons in South Tapanuli,[21] then 53 fatalities and 5 missing persons in Sibolga, 34 fatalities in North Tapanuli, 17 fatalities in Deli Serdang, 11 in Langkat, 9 in Humbang Hasundutan, 12 fatalities in Medan, 2 in Pakpak Bharat Regency, and 1 each in Nias and Padangsidimpuan.[22][23]
West Sumatra
In West Sumatra, 200 people died, 114 went missing, and 112 people were injured.[24] 130 fatalities were due to flash floods in Agam Regency and 71 others remain missing.[25] Landslides at the entrance gate of Padang Panjang killed 30 people.[26] In Padang, 10 people died,[27] with 31,845 people affected.[28] Approximately 15,000 residents in Lubuk Minturun were affected by the flood. Water levels in the area reached up to 2 meters.[29] A teenager died due to a landslide in West Pasaman Regency.[30] 7 people died in Padang Pariaman Regency,[31] one person died in Solok, and two people died in Tanah Datar Regency.[32]
Infrared satellite image of Cyclone Senyar (left) and Cyclone Koto (right) on 26 November
Experts agree that the flash floods and landslides in Sumatra are a manifestation of two primary factors occurring simultaneously: extreme weather conditions triggered by global atmospheric dynamics, and the ecological vulnerability of the region due to systematic environmental damage.[33][34]
Emergency response and aid
Indonesian Air Force CN-295 transport aircraft dropping 90 emergency heliboxes containing food supplies and basic equipment over the Batuarimo Drop Zone, North Tapanuli, North Sumatra. The aid was intended for flood-affected residents who remained isolated and lacked basic logistics.Logistics aid sent for the floods in West Sumatra arrives at Minangkabau International Airport
Following the disaster, according to the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of South Tapanuli Regency, displaced persons were provided with emergency needs including 3,000 basic food packages, 200 family kits, 200 kitchen kits, five refugee tents, 50 family tents, 500 folding mattresses and blankets, and five rubber boat units.[35] Meanwhile, the Ministry of Social Affairs established emergency tents and public kitchens in several areas in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra affected by the disaster.[36] The Solok Regency Government in West Sumatra delivered food logistics aid and constructed an emergency bridge access that was previously cut off by the strong river currents in Nagari Koto Hilalang, Kubung District. A total of 102 basic food packages were distributed to affected residents. 56 basic food packages were handed over to residents of Nagari Koto Hilalang, 10 packages for residents in Nagari Koto Sani, four packages for residents in Nagari Saning Baka, 12 packages for residents in Paninggahan, 10 packages for residents and 10 packages for the public kitchen in Nagari Salayo.[37]
Facing the extensive scale of the disaster, the Indonesian government activated the full mobilization of all national resources. The Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno stated that President Prabowo Subianto had ordered all national forces to focus on accelerating humanitarian operations, evacuation, and logistics distribution.
Logistics aid and compensation
The Ministry of Social Affairs led the distribution of logistics aid and public kitchen support with a total value reaching Rp21.48 billion.[38] The ministry established 28 public kitchen points spread across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, capable of producing up to 100 thousand packets of rice per day to serve the needs of the displaced persons.[39] Local governments and BPBDs also distributed emergency necessities, including thousands of basic food packages, refugee tents, and rubber boats. In addition to physical needs, the government also provided financial support. The Minister of Social Affairs announced compensation of Rp15 million for the heirs of those killed and Rp5 million for those with serious injuries, as a gesture of compassion to ease the burden amidst the disaster.[40]
Economic and technological support
To ease the economic burden on the victims, the Financial Services Authority (OJK) permitted banks to provide special treatment for credit held by disaster victims. This treatment may include the provision of new credit or financing post-disaster and the restructuring of credit disbursed before or after the disaster, the asset quality of which will be classified as smooth. Meanwhile, as a form of communication support and information access, the Starlink satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk was provided free of charge to flood and landslide victims in Sumatra until the end of December 2025.[41]
Public and international participation
A strong wave of solidarity and humanitarian aid also flowed from the public and international parties. A large-scale public fundraising effort, initiated by the Malaka Project by Indonesian online influencer Ferry Irwandi, successfully raised over Rp10.37 billion in donations within the first 24 hours from more than 87 thousand contributors, with a focus on distribution to remote and isolated areas.[42] On 29 November 2025, Malaysia sent aid in the form of medicine and a medical team which landed in Aceh, which was then integrated with the healthcare efforts of the local government.[43]
Support also emerged from the regional sports community in West Sumatra. On 7 December 2025, the 18th Sawahlunto Derby (Bank Nagari Sawahlunto Derby) held at the Kandih Racecourse dedicated its entire revenue from ticket sales and VIP contributions to the humanitarian cause. The event successfully raised Rp32,225,000, which the organizers announced would be converted into basic necessities for flood and landslide victims across West Sumatra. [44]
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