Dec 3, 2025, 9:23 amDec 3, 2025, 9:23 am
In the disaster area on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the death toll from devastating floods continues to rise. More than 750 people died in the floods and landslides, according to civil protection. The number of missing people is now around 650, and around 2,600 residents were injured. The number of victims could increase even further, it was said.
Flood survivors cross a river in Batang Toru, North Sumatra.Image: AP
According to the authorities, a total of 3.3 million of the 60 million inhabitants are affected by the floods, well over a third of them in the northern province of Aceh. Sumatra is almost as big as Germany, Austria and Switzerland combined. The elongated island lies west of Malaysia on the equator and is repeatedly hit by natural disasters. The latest flood is considered one of the worst in recent years.
Mud covered area in Indonesia.Image: EPA
More rain is coming
This was preceded by days of heavy monsoon rains. Thousands of houses have been destroyed and many roads are still blocked by rubble and mudslides. According to civil protection, almost 40 percent of the bridges and schools in the affected regions were damaged. The military and rescue teams are working tirelessly to search for missing people, clear roads and distribute food, water and medicine.
The rainy season in Indonesia is only now really beginning.Image: EPA
There is great concern that other provinces will soon be confronted with extreme weather conditions: In Indonesia, the peak phase of the rainy season is just beginning.
Devastating rainfall recently led to severe flooding in several countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia. According to information from the UN weather organization WMO in Geneva, a total of around 2,000 people were killed and missing in Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand following the storms. (sda/dpa)