Aceh mourns once again. This province, all too familiar with the scars of disaster, is now grappling with a major tragedy in the form of widespread floods and landslides since late November 2025, as part of a larger catastrophe affecting the island of Sumatra. The disaster was triggered by extreme weather phenomena: prolonged heavy rainfall exacerbated by the pressure from Tropical Cyclone Senyar.

Devastating Conditions and Impact

In some areas, such as Aceh Tamiang, the floods occurred in a terrifying flash form. Water surged at high speed, reaching a peak height of approximately 3.5 meters. This situation forced residents to survive on the roofs of their homes for days, awaiting rescue.

Reports from the field depict destruction of extreme severity. Many villages and settlements are reported to have "almost vanished," swallowed by water and mud. Thousands of homes were destroyed, roads were severed, and public infrastructure was severely damaged. The deepest sorrow is the loss of life, with fatalities estimated at around 325 people.

A poignant statement from a surviving resident reveals the magnitude of this trauma: "The current situation is worse than the tsunami." This expression not only describes the scale of physical destruction but also revives the collective memory of the major disaster that struck Aceh in the past.

Staggering Damage Figures

Preliminary data compiled by authorities and humanitarian agencies indicates an extraordinary scale of impact:

Fatalities: Approximately 325 people.

Damaged Homes: Estimated to reach ± 46,000 units across Aceh, with tens of thousands of them severely damaged or completely destroyed.

Public Infrastructure: Many roads, bridges, schools, and other public facilities suffered severe damage, cutting off vital access and services.

Displaced Persons: Thousands of residents were affected, with tens of thousands likely having to evacuate or relocate from their homes long-term, far from normal living conditions.

Current Emergency Response

The central and local governments, together with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and various national and international humanitarian organizations, have mobilized all resources for emergency response. Operations are focused on:

Search and Rescue (SAR): Reaching victims still isolated in hard-to-access areas.

Emergency Aid: Distributing urgent logistics such as ready-to-eat food, clean water, medicine, blankets, and evacuation tents.

Access Recovery: Repairing emergency transport infrastructure to open distribution channels for aid.

Psychosocial Support: Providing counseling to victims, especially those suffering severe trauma due to loss and destruction.

Looking Forward

This disaster has left deep wounds in Acehnese society. After the emergency response phase, the province will face a long and costly recovery and reconstruction stage. This catastrophe also highlights the urgent need to strengthen early warning systems, environmental governance, and community-based disaster mitigation in disaster-prone regions like Aceh.