Indonesia floods kill over 900 as relief teams race to reach cut-off towns

A rare cyclone-triggered flood in Indonesia has destroyed more than 100,000 homes and left hundreds missing, prompting rapid air and sea relief to reach isolated communities as the death toll rises.

In Indonesia, an unusual cyclone crossing the Malacca Strait triggered devastating floods that have claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands. The disaster comes amid a wider wave of extreme weather across Asia.

Scale and impact

Officials say the death toll has exceeded 900 while hundreds remain unaccounted for as floodwaters and landslides hit multiple provinces. More than 100,000 homes were damaged or destroyed as the storm dumped heavy rain across the region.

Survivor accounts from Aceh

In Aceh Province’s Aceh Tamiang district, communities were overwhelmed by fast-moving floods. In Lintang Bawah Village, residents fled to higher ground as water swelled around their homes. A survivor noted many families faced days without food or drink while trying to stay safe on elevated structures. Officials indicated that about 90% of homes in the village were wiped out, leaving hundreds without shelter. Another family recalled being evacuated by boat as floodwaters rose to the second floor of their home, prompting a move to higher ground in a nearby village for safety.

Reuters: people walk along a muddy road left by flooding

Relief challenges and ongoing risks

The regional governor said responders were still searching in waist-deep mud for victims, while many remote areas lack basic supplies. People in hard-hit regions rely on aid deliveries that are often delayed by difficult terrain and damaged infrastructure. Reports also noted that inmates were released from one prison when floodwaters threatened the facility, as authorities struggled to relocate them safely.

Access to Sibolga City and Central Tapanuli remained cut off as of Sunday, with aid reaching these towns mainly by air and sea. Looting was reported at some supermarkets as residents stock up on essentials amid the crisis.

Expert view

Expert comment: Dr. Maya Susilo, a disaster risk analyst, cautioned that rising extreme rainfall increases flood risk in Southeast Asia and stresses the need for stronger early warning and safer housing in vulnerable communities. She added that remote towns often face long delays before relief reaches them, underscoring the importance of rapid, multi-channel response.

Summary

The floods in Aceh and across the region have caused hundreds of deaths and widespread displacement. Officials are racing to deliver aid by air and sea to cut-off communities as rain and landslide risks remain high. The disaster highlights the vulnerability of remote towns and the strain on relief networks.