Government Races to Stabilize Sumatra as Deadly Floods Hit Three Provinces
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JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — President Prabowo Subianto ordered all branches of government to move at full speed as devastating floods and landslides struck North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh. He said he had instructed officials, the military, and emergency teams from the first hours of the disaster to push aid through land and air routes as entire districts became submerged and cut off.
Prabowo emphasized that three Hercules C130 aircraft and an Airbus A400 had been dispatched to move personnel and supplies into affected areas. He said the government reacted from day one by transporting food, equipment, and emergency support into isolated communities as weather conditions worsened across the island. A video on his official channel showed field kitchens operating in multiple districts and children in floodwater thanking the president for the assistance.
Emergency agencies deployed rubber boats, generators, communication devices, and additional ground, sea, and air units to ensure aid reached remote and isolated zones. Prabowo also delivered condolences to families of the victims while urging national unity to support disaster relief efforts as rainfall continued.
BNPB Chief Lt Gen Suharyanto led a coordination meeting in Tapanuli Utara as teams reported improving but volatile weather across the impacted provinces. He instructed personnel to prioritize 24 hour search and rescue operations, restoration of communication systems, and logistics distribution to thousands affected. SAR operations in North Sumatra focused on Sibolga and Tapanuli Tengah as several residents remained missing.
BNPB positioned an MI 17 helicopter and two additional aircraft to move supplies into districts cut off by landslides. With the main road between Tarutung and Sibolga still blocked, agencies coordinated with the navy to direct urgent shipments through Pelabuhan Jago jago by sea.
In Aceh, BNPB teams led by Deputy for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Jarwansyah arrived on Thursday and reported that road access in Aceh Tenggara, Gayo Lues, Aceh Besar, Aceh Barat, and Pidie Jaya had reopened. Logistics distribution began immediately with food, clothing, and shelter materials. Districts still unreachable by land, including Aceh Tengah, Aceh Tamiang, Langsa, and Aceh Timur, received aid by air using a Cessna Caravan and six helicopters from the TNI and BNPB. Fast boats were also prepared to push supplies into Lhokseumawe.
BNPB distributed 28 Starlink units and 33 generators to restore disrupted communication networks while the Ministry of Social Affairs opened four field kitchens and Pertamina addressed temporary fuel shortages. The combined effort supported isolated communities where electricity and road access remained unreliable.
Additional emergency airlifts reached Aceh Tamiang, Bener Meriah, and Aceh Tengah using helicopters from Medan and aircraft from Banda Aceh. Initial sorties transported hundreds of kilograms of food, ready to eat meals, generators, Starlink terminals, and telecommunication kits. Follow up shipments included hygiene supplies, baby essentials, blankets, and nutrition packages.
In West Sumatra, Basarnas Chief Mohammad Syafii directed aerial evacuations in Agam Regency, where floods and landslides destroyed major road links. A Basarnas helicopter transported eight injured residents from Palambayan to Lubuk Basung Regional Hospital for urgent treatment. Syafii said air operations were essential because ground routes were still blocked, and he prepared to expand air and sea deployments as weather remained unstable.
Agam Regency authorities recorded at least 85 fatalities across districts affected by landslides, flash floods, and debris flows. Officials warned the number could rise as rescue missions reached remote villages.
In Aceh, Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin inspected flood zones in Pidie Jaya on Saturday to review the condition of evacuees and identify urgent needs. He said accelerating food, clothing, and medical supply deliveries remained the government’s top priority as 18 districts confronted widespread damage. TNI logistics assets were activated to move aid into hard to access areas.
The Ministry of Defense and the TNI deployed 28 Starlink units, 28 generators, 7,800 kilograms of rations, 1,234 kilograms of medical supplies, 750 boxes of instant noodles, 38 tents, four PLN generators, and 20 LCR boats. Similar support packages were prepared for North Sumatra and West Sumatra as the provinces faced extreme rainfall and infrastructure loss.
Sjafrie was accompanied by Commission IV Chair Titiek Soeharto, TNI Commander Gen Agus Subiyanto, Defense Logistics Agency Chief Marsdya Yusuf Jauhari, and Didit Hediprasetyo. Officials said the combined national effort aimed to stabilize emergency conditions and deliver rapid support to thousands of displaced residents.
Authorities across Sumatra warned that more heavy rain could still occur and urged communities in landslide prone areas to remain alert. As rescue operations expanded, Prabowo called on the nation to stay united and support affected residents through the recovery period.