The torrential rains that have hit Aceh and North Sumatra since the last week of November 2025 were triggered by extreme weather disturbances: according to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), two significant systems, Tropical Cyclone KOTO in the Sulu Sea and Cyclone Seed 95B in the Strait of Malacca, caused increased rainfall and strong winds in the northern region of Sumatra Island.
High-intensity, long-duration rains forced rivers and drainage channels to overflow, accelerating flash floods and expanding surface water levels. In several locations, the water level was so high that it inundated homes, damaged infrastructure, and cut off road access.
Local governments in both provinces declared a disaster emergency response status to expedite evacuations and aid distribution. In Aceh, the emergency status was in effect for 14 days from the date of declaration.
However, despite ongoing rescue efforts, the impact of the disaster, including casualties, continued to rise as search and rescue teams reached the worst-affected areas. Hundreds of deaths were recorded in North Sumatra, while several deaths and missing persons were also reported in Aceh.
The damage is widespread: thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate, homes and fields have been submerged, and roads and bridges have been damaged, worsening the emergency response situation. Many villages are now difficult to reach, and communications and the supply of basic necessities have been disrupted, exacerbating the crisis in the affected areas.
Various parties are calling for solidarity and support from communities outside the affected areas to help the victims, while the government is being urged to immediately declare a national disaster status so that aid can be distributed more optimally.