At least 23 killed after deadly landslides in Sumatra, Indonesia
At least 23 people have been killed after days of continued rain since November 24, 2025, triggered floods and landslides across parts of Sumatra, Indonesia, affecting thousands of homes and residents in at least six regencies.
Flooding in Sumatra, Indonesia on November 25, 2025. Credit: BPBD
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported that flash floods and landslides over the past four days have killed at least 23 people, affecting six regencies, including Central Tapanuli, South Tapanuli, North Tapanuli, Mandailing Natal, and the coastal city of Sibolga. Flooding and debris blocked access to roads and bridges collapsed, isolating remote areas and complicating relief efforts.
“Four consecutive days of rain, almost all districts and cities in West Sumatra, were affected by floods and landslides. The weather is indeed very extreme so this causes floods and landslides. This resulted in many residents being displaced and infrastructure damage,” said BNPB secretary Dr. Rustian.
In Central Tapanuli, a family of four died when a landslide buried their home. Nearly 2 000 houses and public buildings were inundated.
In Sibolga, rescuers recovered at least five bodies and rescued many injured residents, while four people remain unaccounted for.
In South Tapanuli, flooding and landslides displaced more than 2 800 residents and reportedly caused casualties and injuries.
Emergency teams from BNPB have been deployed with heavy machinery to reopen blocked roads and search for missing residents, but continuous rainfall and unstable terrain continue to hamper operations. Local authorities have established temporary shelters for evacuees and are distributing food, clean water and medical aid.
Data from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) show that northern Sumatra has experienced intense monsoon rainfall since November 24, saturating soils and sharply raising river levels.
The region’s steep terrain and, in some areas, deforestation heightened slope instability and runoff, amplifying the impact of the floods.
As of November 27, search and rescue operations continue in difficult conditions. Authorities urge residents in mountainous and river-adjacent zones to evacuate to higher ground as a precaution.
The full extent of infrastructure and agricultural damage is still under assessment.
References:
1 Landslides and flash floods on Indonesia’s Sumatra island leave at least 23 dead and dozens missing – AP -November 26, 2025
2 At least 17 people killed in Indonesia floods, landslides – Al Jazeera – November 26, 2025
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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