BNPB reports rise in fatalities to 990 after floods and landslides in Sumatra

INDONESIA — The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has reported a rise in fatalities from the floods and landslides that struck Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, confirming 990 deaths as of Thursday, 11 December 2025.

BNPB’s Head of the Centre for Disaster Data, Information, and Communication, Abdul Muhari, said 21 more victims were found on 11 December, up from 969 recorded a day earlier.

Aceh accounted for the largest increase, with 16 additional bodies recovered in North Aceh. Three victims were found in North Sumatra — in Central Tapanuli, South Tapanuli, and Sibolga — while two more were recovered in West Sumatra and are still being identified.

Search and recovery efforts continue across the affected provinces amid unstable weather. BNPB also revised its missing persons count from 252 to 222 following data verification with local authorities.

The number of displaced residents has similarly decreased, from 894,501 to 884,889, as authorities maintain emergency shelters, evacuation operations, and logistics support.

BNPB noted that casualty and displacement figures may continue to fluctuate as teams access remote areas. The government has also issued provisional estimates for reconstruction needs.

More than Rp 51.82 trillion (US$3.11 billion) will be required to restore damaged housing, public facilities, and critical infrastructure.

BNPB Chief Suharyanto said the estimates were based on assessments by the Ministry of Public Works and remain subject to revision.

Aceh is projected to need the largest allocation — Rp 25.41 trillion — a figure presented during a coordination meeting with President Prabowo Subianto on 7 December. Two districts in Aceh remain isolated due to severe road damage, hindering the delivery of aid and heavy equipment.

Communication has been restored in 15 of 17 districts and cities, supported by Starlink WiFi networks, while electricity restoration has reached 81%. A total of 37,546 homes have been damaged.

North Sumatra faces similar conditions, with two districts still cut off among the 17 affected. Communication networks have been fully restored, and electricity supply is steadily improving. The province is estimated to require Rp 12.88 trillion (S$1 billion) for rehabilitation and reconstruction.

In West Sumatra, two districts remain priority areas for assistance, though both communication and electricity services have been fully restored. The Ministry of Public Works estimates reconstruction needs at Rp 13.52 trillion (S$1 billion), covering repairs to public facilities, infrastructure, and community housing.

During visits to several affected areas, President Prabowo said the government has the capacity to undertake the necessary recovery measures.

He noted ongoing repairs to damaged bridges by the Ministry of Public Works and the army, and highlighted extensive damage to agricultural land, irrigation channels, and dams. Rebuilding homes for displaced families, he said, would be critical to long-term recovery.