President Inspects Sumatra Disaster: Intensify Aid and Infrastructure Repairs

PADANG PARIAMAN, KOMPAS — Concluding his series of inspections, President Prabowo Subianto visited flood and landslide victims in Padang Pariaman Regency, West Sumatra, on Monday (1/12/2025) afternoon. The President reiterated that the distribution of aid and infrastructure improvements are being intensified. However, the status of the disaster emergency is considered not yet necessary to elevate.

The President visited the victims of the flood and landslide disaster at the evacuation post in the Bumi Kasai Permai Complex, Nagari Kasang, Batang Anai District, Padang Pariaman Regency, West Sumatra, on Monday. The President traveled to the location from Minangkabau Airport, West Sumatra, via a land route of nearly 4 kilometers. Along the way, remnants of the flood were visible from the dried mud that covered the road.

In the evacuation center, the President greeted and shook hands with the residents. Accompanied by Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Suharyanto, and Governor of West Sumatra Mahyeldi, Prabowo also inspected the communal kitchen there. In the communal kitchen, the President discussed with local leaders regarding the developments in disaster management.

While delivering a speech in front of the victims, Prabowo expressed his condolences for the disaster that befell the residents. He stated that he had received reports from local leaders indicating that the situation was improving along with the weather. Therefore, access to public services is also gradually recovering.

"I received a report that electricity in West Sumatra is almost 100 percent back," he said.

Nevertheless, the government continues to intensify improvements in infrastructure and various public facilities, such as drainage systems. All damaged bridges that require repair have also been cataloged. "We are also assisting damaged houses," said the President.

Regarding several areas that remain isolated, he continued, the distribution of aid will also continue through air routes. Several helicopters will still be deployed to reach the disconnected routes, both in West Sumatra and in Aceh and North Sumatra.

The President also urged the public to support one another in facing difficult times. He promised that the government belongs to the people and works for the people. Therefore, all of the nation's wealth will be managed to assist the lives of the people.

A similar statement was made by Prabowo while inspecting flood and landslide management in Central Tapanuli, North Sumatra, and Southeast Aceh, Aceh, on the same day. According to him, disaster response currently focuses on the delivery of aid. One of the priorities is the delivery of fuel oil.

After reviewing three locations in three provinces affected by floods and landslides, the President has not yet decided to elevate the disaster emergency status to a national disaster. When interviewed at Raja Sisingamangaraja XII Airport in North Tapanuli, North Sumatra, he stated that the situation has improved. Moreover, the weather is also predicted to continue improving in the future.

"I think the current state of emergency (provincial emergency) is sufficient," said President Prabowo.

According to Prabowo, the disasters occurring in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra are a consequence of climate change. "The current condition of climate change must be faced properly; the government must truly function to protect the environment and anticipate future conditions. Those in the regions must also be prepared to face the conditions of climate change," he added.

The head of BNPB, Suharyanto, stated that the total number of victims of hydrometeorological disasters who died in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra until Sunday (30/11/2025) reached 442 individuals. As many as 402 individuals are still reported missing.

According to data from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), Cyclone Senyar has triggered extreme rainfall in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra with an intensity exceeding 300 millimeters (mm) per day. The highest rainfall was recorded in Kuala District, Bireun, with an intensity of 411 mm per day on November 25-26, 2025, as reported by the Head of the Aceh Climatology Station, Muhajir.

The Director of Meteorology at BMKG, Andri Ramdhani, stated that in the last five years, several tropical cyclones have been recorded approaching the Indonesian region with increasing frequency. The presence of these cyclones has significant impacts, particularly extreme rainfall, strong winds, and high waves.

"The recent phenomenon of tropical cyclone Senyar is a very unusual occurrence as it formed at a low latitude of about 4.5 degrees North in the Malacca Strait, an area that climatologically should not support the formation of tropical cyclones," he said.

Changes in weather patterns and the increasing trend of tropical cyclones approaching Indonesian territory need to be taken seriously. This indicates that Indonesia is no longer fully protected from the threats of tropical cyclones, whether from the west, north, or south.

Although the distribution of aid is a focus in disaster management, Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian stated after the Central and Regional Coordination Meeting in anticipation of Christmas 2025 and New Year 2026 in Jakarta on Monday, that the distribution of aid, especially food, must follow the proper and simplified procedures. The food aid in question specifically refers to Bulog rice.

He emphasized that Bulog has several distribution schemes, namely food assistance based on the National Socio-Economic Data (DTSEN), Supply and Price Stabilization of Food (SPHP) or market operations, as well as special assistance for disaster management. For special disaster management assistance, rice can be immediately distributed upon receiving an official request from the regional head.

The application process is also very straightforward. Regional heads only need to send a request letter in the form of a digital document to the Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas). After receiving the request, Bapanas will forward the approval to Bulog so that assistance can be dispatched promptly according to the needs of the region.

"For example, yesterday Lhokseumawe needed 100 tons. Okay, he (the Mayor of Lhokseumawe) just needs to make a soft copy letter, send it to me, to the Minister of Agriculture, and the Head of the Food Agency. After that, the Food Agency, the Minister of Agriculture, will approve it and he will immediately forward it to the President Director of Bulog," said Tito.

He added that the current rice stock is sufficient for national needs. For example, in Lhokseumawe, there are 28 thousand tons of Bulog rice available. This amount of rice is considered adequate to meet the community's needs for the next few months.

In response to the situation in Sibolga, North Sumatra, Tito explained that some residents had visited the Bulog warehouse due to concerns about the availability of logistics and access to areas that had previously been hindered. A similar situation had also occurred in Palu when the region was isolated due to a disaster. "We know that panic buying occurs, and it becomes even more difficult, especially if the area is isolated," he stated.

Tito continued, the government is now proactively distributing logistics to hard-to-reach areas by utilizing various available routes. However, he emphasized the importance of public understanding that all aid distribution is carried out according to the established mechanisms to ensure it reaches the intended targets.

In addition to providing food assistance, the government will also provide temporary housing for residents affected by the disaster. Currently, the assessment of heavily damaged houses is still ongoing. For the time being, residents remain in evacuation centers such as mosques, government buildings, or emergency tents.