Jakarta: Communities in Indonesia’s Sumatra island are struggling after deadly floods and landslides swept through several districts last week, leaving widespread destruction and reviving painful memories of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The disaster has now become one of the worst natural crises Indonesia has experienced in recent years.
Authorities say more than 830 people have died and hundreds are still missing. Rescue teams are facing major challenges as roads and bridges in remote areas remain damaged or blocked by mudslides. Officials estimate that more than 3 million people have been affected, with thousands forced to leave their homes and take shelter in temporary camps.
Local residents say the scale of destruction took them by surprise. Many described the floods arriving quickly after days of heavy rain linked to Cyclone Senyar, a rare storm near the equator. Survivors said they had little time to escape, and many families were separated during the chaos.
Emergency shelters are currently overcrowded and facing shortages of clean water, food, medical supplies and fuel. Aid agencies warn that disease outbreaks could begin if sanitation and water supplies are not restored soon.
Experts say the floods were made worse by years of environmental destruction. Deforestation and unregulated mining in Sumatra have reduced natural barriers that help absorb rainwater. Environmental groups are urging the government to take action and prevent similar disasters in the future.
Government leaders have been visiting the affected areas and are considering declaring a national emergency to unlock more funding and resources. Rescue teams and volunteers continue to search for missing people and provide support to survivors.
For many in Aceh province, where the impact was most severe, the disaster feels heartbreakingly familiar. Residents say the rushing water and destroyed homes reminded them of the tsunami that hit the same region 21 years ago.
Recovery and rebuilding efforts are expected to take months, and officials say the long term challenge will be restoring infrastructure while addressing environmental damage that made the flooding more devastating.