The Specific Facts of Massive Flooding in Sumatra

Massive flooding in Sumatra has attracted a lot of attention. It occurred after heavy rain in several days as a sign of extreme weather. Flash floods affected many areas in Sumatra. This hydrometeorological disaster caused complex impacts.

The Difference of Massive Flooding in Sumatra from Others

Sumatra has high rainfall, making it potential hit by floods. However, the flooding in Sumatra in November 2025 was significantly different from other cases. Here are some specific differences.

1. Floods Hit Three Provinces

An extreme flood in Sumatra occurred in three provinces. It is a very wide area. The disaster occurred across three provinces, namely Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. It is one of the differences between it and others. Several days of extreme rainfall are a natural factor of the terrible disaster.

2. Tropical Cyclones

Tropical cyclones are one of causing factors for extreme rainfall and flash floods in Sumatra. It is a rare condition. Because located on the equator, tropical cyclones rarely enter or form in Indonesia. It is due to the Coriolis force being relatively weak at the equator. It is a force that deflects wind direction due to Earth's rotation. Usually, Indonesia is only indirectly affected by cyclones because they occur nearby.

3. Steep Slope Topography

Sumatra has unique natural conditions. It is a steep slope topography that is more potential to flash floods and landslides. The occurrence of flooding in Sumatra is one example of deforestation in the steep slope topography.

Without preventive measures to protect forests, the soil structure is weakening. Moreover, it becomes saturated because the rainwater is not fully absorbed. Water flows into the lowlands as flash floods.

4. Massive Deforestation

Deforestation became a hot topic after the floods hit Sumatra. This issue came from the fact that there is a large number of logs washed away by the flash floods. Many large logs were found amidst the floodwaters. Previously, these logs had also hit residential areas and public facilities. It shows the severity of deforestation.

Many forest areas in Sumatra have been converted for mining and palm oil plantations. Illegal practices are increasing. Moreover, illegal logging happened without reforestation. This exploitation causes many bad impacts. The water catchment areas are reduced, soil structure is weakened, and the temperature is rising. It triggers hydrometeorological disasters, including floods.

The Risks of Massive Flooding

Massive flooding in Sumatra certainly had a devastating impact on the affected areas. Three provinces in Sumatra get these various impacts in many aspects, as follows.

1. The Large Victims

There were many fatalities and injuries from the extreme flooding in Sumatra. During the evacuation process, the data of the victims was continuously updated. Based on data, the fatalities have reached 1,016 and 7,600 injured. Moreover, 212 people are missing. Meanwhile, 654,642 survivors are in refugee areas.

2. Hunger and Health Problems

Massive flooding is a big disaster that causes complex impacts. In case of floods in Sumatra, the residential areas, public facilities, rice paddies, fields, forests, etc., were submerged. All survivors are facing starvation because food supplies have been depleted or washed away. Limited access to transportation and the lack of fuel are causing food aid is delay.

Conditions are worsening as food shortages impact health. The health problem is worsened by a lack of clean water. Fever, flu, cough, and itching are the health problems that suffered by the victim.

3. Material Loss

Floods in Sumatra are categorized as an extreme disaster. Their impact is very complex, including the material loss. Homes, property, vehicles, land, and livestock are all of material loss that are experienced by flood victims. All of this was caused by being submerged and swept away by the flash floods.

4. Infrastructure Damage

The infrastructure in three provinces was damaged, even rendered non-functional. The basic impact was that roads were submerged, and bridges were broken. Energy infrastructure was out of stock, such as electricity and fuel. Power lines were down, disrupting communication and information exchange, even completely eliminating access in some areas. Fuel supplies were also scarce, delaying aid deliveries and evacuations.

5. Any Isolated Areas

Several areas become isolated because of the infrastructure damage, like roads and bridges that connect two areas. In addition to infrastructure damage, flooding is severe and has not yet receded in some areas. All of these conditions make some villages difficult to reach by land. The only option for evacuation and aid delivery to isolated areas is by helicopter.

The risks of hydrometeorological disasters can be worsened by natural damage. The case of massive flooding in Sumatra is a reminder. To mitigate disaster risks, effective disaster management is crucial. The basis of it is accurate and comprehensive disaster warning and evacuation alert systems. Besides alarms and sirens, emergency message warnings should be given.

An emergency message-sending machine based on SMS (Short Message Service) is available. This specific machine has a wide range of 500 m to 2 km, reaching all operators in real time. Through this facility, the public can receive comprehensive notifications about disaster predictions and evacuation advisories. Risks can be minimized. The government can get its advanced products at smsbroadcaster.com.