Impact of Sumatra Floods: Home Affairs Minister Reveals 11 Regions Still Require Special Government Attention

Jakarta — Indonesian Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian has confirmed that several regencies and cities still require special government attention in the wake of flash floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

Tito made the remarks during a Post-Disaster Task Force meeting between the House of Representatives (DPR) and the government at the Parliamentary Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.

He explained that West Sumatra province has 19 regencies and cities, of which 16 were affected by the disaster. Of those, 13 regencies and cities have been declared to have returned to normal.

“For West Sumatra, there are 19 regencies and cities. Of the 16 that were affected, we can confirm that 13 regencies and cities are normal — that is roughly 81 per cent — with one more approaching normal,” Tito said.

The regencies and cities in West Sumatra still requiring special attention are Agam and Padang Pariaman.

In North Sumatra, Tito said two areas still need attention: South Tapanuli Regency and Central Tapanuli Regency.

Meanwhile, in Aceh, seven areas require attention owing to a number of indicators — including economic activity, road access, and government operations — that have yet to return to optimal levels.

“The seven areas requiring special attention are Aceh Tamiang, East Aceh, North Aceh, Bireuen, and Pidie Jaya — those are in the lowlands. In the highlands, the areas requiring attention are Central Aceh and Bener Meriah,” he said.

In total, 11 regencies and cities across the three provinces still require special government attention.

Separately, Tito disclosed that the number of displaced persons from the flash floods and landslides in Sumatra currently stands at 12,944. He noted this figure has fallen significantly from a peak of more than two million evacuees.

The head of the Task Force for the Acceleration of Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sumatra explained that the remaining displaced persons are located in Aceh and North Sumatra.

“Across these three provinces, our data shows 1,205 fatalities and 139 persons still missing. The number of displaced persons has dropped from over two million to approximately 12,944 people still in tents,” Tito said.

He noted that the floods and landslides affected a vast area across Sumatra, encompassing 52 regencies and cities, 491 sub-districts, and 4,511 villages.