29 Villages Lost Due to Sumatra Floods, Highest Number in Aceh
The head of the Sumatra Post-Disaster Recovery Task Force from the government side, Tito Karnavian, stated that 29 villages were lost or obliterated as a result of floods and landslides in Sumatra in late November 2025.
That figure does not yet include several other village offices that remain non-operational due to flooding.
"Then there are the ones that have disappeared — this also requires resolution. There are 29 villages that were lost, swept away by landslides or submerged by flooding," said Tito during a meeting with the House of Representatives Recovery Task Force at the parliamentary complex on Wednesday (18 February).
Tito said the highest number of lost villages was in Aceh, reaching 21, spread across four regencies: Aceh Tamiang, Nagan Raya, Central Aceh, and Gayo Lues.
"Aceh has the most at 21 lost villages. In Aceh Tamiang, Nagan Raya, Central Aceh, and Gayo Lues," said Tito.
The remaining losses were in North Sumatra, where eight villages were destroyed, spread across two regencies: South Tapanuli and Central Tapanuli. Meanwhile, the government confirmed that no villages were lost in West Sumatra.
"North Sumatra has eight lost villages, particularly in South Tapanuli and Central Tapanuli. The names of the villages are also listed there. And in West Sumatra, thankfully, no villages were lost," he said.
According to Tito, decisions regarding the dozens of lost villages need to be made urgently, as the situation has implications for administrative processes.
"This also requires resolution — relocation, as well as village governance administration going forward. Because for the villages that have been lost, we need to decide whether to rebuild them or remove them from governmental administration," he said.
That figure does not yet include several other village offices that remain non-operational due to flooding.
"Then there are the ones that have disappeared — this also requires resolution. There are 29 villages that were lost, swept away by landslides or submerged by flooding," said Tito during a meeting with the House of Representatives Recovery Task Force at the parliamentary complex on Wednesday (18 February).
Tito said the highest number of lost villages was in Aceh, reaching 21, spread across four regencies: Aceh Tamiang, Nagan Raya, Central Aceh, and Gayo Lues.
"Aceh has the most at 21 lost villages. In Aceh Tamiang, Nagan Raya, Central Aceh, and Gayo Lues," said Tito.
The remaining losses were in North Sumatra, where eight villages were destroyed, spread across two regencies: South Tapanuli and Central Tapanuli. Meanwhile, the government confirmed that no villages were lost in West Sumatra.
"North Sumatra has eight lost villages, particularly in South Tapanuli and Central Tapanuli. The names of the villages are also listed there. And in West Sumatra, thankfully, no villages were lost," he said.
According to Tito, decisions regarding the dozens of lost villages need to be made urgently, as the situation has implications for administrative processes.
"This also requires resolution — relocation, as well as village governance administration going forward. Because for the villages that have been lost, we need to decide whether to rebuild them or remove them from governmental administration," he said.