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View all search resultsExtreme weather, fresh floodings haunt survivors of Sumatra disaster
Authorities added that the recurring floods carried large amounts of mud, rocks and other debris, making rivers shallower and more prone to overflowing. They also warned that the fresh flooding has complicated search efforts for people still missing, who are believed to be trapped beneath thick debris.
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People cry during a symbolic burial ceremony on Dec. 23, 2025, for missing victims at the site of flash floods and landslides in Hutanabolon, Tukka district, Central Tapanuli, North Sumatra. The ceremony was held for families who lost relatives during the recent flash floods and landslides. (Antara/Rivan Awal Lingga)
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xtreme weather continues to haunt survivors of the Sumatra floods, with relentless heavy rainfall triggering further flooding and severely disrupting recovery and search-and-rescue efforts.
A flash flood struck residential areas in Tanjung Raya district, Agam regency, West Sumatra in the early hours of Thursday, sending residents scrambling for safety.
According to locals, a loud rumbling was heard from upstream of the Muaro Pisang Pasar Maninjau River at around 1:45 a.m., before a surge of floodwaters carrying rocks and debris swept through the area.
The incident marked the third flash flood to hit the village since November.
While no casualties were reported, at least 200 residents were forced to evacuate once again to temporary shelters.
Flood debris also buried excavators deployed to clear damage from previous floods, cutting off the district’s main road and further complicating recovery efforts.
Read also: Sumatra flood survivors battle mud, trauma
Heavy downpours on the same day also triggered flooding in two villages in Aceh Tamiang regency in Aceh.
Muhammad Daud, a resident of one of the affected villages, said the recent flooding occurred because river embankments damaged during massive flooding on Nov. 26 have not yet been repaired.
“Although floodwaters have begun to recede, several homes remain submerged. We are concerned that without immediate repairs to the embankments, further flooding could occur if heavy rainfall continues,” Daud said on Friday, as quoted by Tribunnews.com.
On Dec. 26, several areas previously affected by flash floods and landslides in South Tapanuli regency, North Sumatra, were hit by renewed flooding. Hundreds of homes in Malombu village were inundated once again after rivers overflowed, carrying mud, logs and sand. Dozens of families were forced to evacuate.
Two days earlier, on Dec. 24, flooding also submerged around 20 villages in Pidie Jaya regency, Aceh, following a full day of heavy rainfall that caused the Keude Meureudu and Ulee Glee rivers to overflow. The floods left thick layers of mud that blocked roads and hampered access to affected areas.
In Bireuen Regency, Aceh, a motorist was killed on December 24 after being swept away by floodwaters.
The recent floods strike as the northern part of Sumatra continues to recover from devastating floods and landslides on Nov. 26, which were caused by the rare tropical cyclone Senyar.
As of Thursday, the disaster has claimed 1,157 lives across Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra, while more than 380,000 people remain displaced and 165 are still missing.
Murthalamuddin, spokesperson for the Aceh Hydrometeorological Disaster Emergency Response Post, said the recent flooding has disrupted recovery and reconstruction efforts in areas affected by Cyclone Senyar.
“The new floods have deposited mud and debris on roads and inside homes that were only recently cleared. Everything must now be removed again,” he told The Jakarta Post.
Authorities added that the recurring floods carried large amounts of mud, rocks and other debris, making rivers shallower and more prone to overflowing. They also warned that the fresh flooding has complicated search efforts for people still missing, who are believed to be trapped beneath thick debris.
Ongoing extreme weather has left many evacuees anxious and fearful for their safety.
Sri Ramadhani, 45, from Aceh Tamiang regency, who has been living in a temporary shelter since losing her home in the massive November floods, said she fears that their shelter could be hit again as bad weather continues.
“I get traumatized whenever I hear about storms. I’m afraid another flood will come,” she told the Post.
Her worries are intensified by the frail condition of many evacuees, some of whom have fallen ill or even died from exhaustion after more than a month in shelters.
“We are exhausted. I hope there won’t be another flood so we can finally leave the shelter and return to normal life,” she added.
Read also: Prabowo spends New Year’s Eve with Sumatra disaster survivors
Nelson Simanullang, 59, an evacuee from Lobu Pining village, North Tapanuli refency, echoed her fears. Having lost his home when the village was flattened by landslides in late November, Nelson said that every time it rains, he is reminded of the disaster.
“We are afraid the disaster will happen again. The trauma is still fresh. We hope the weather will return to normal soon,” he said on Tuesday. (nal)
