For many survivors in Indonesia’s Aceh province, the deadly floods and landslides that struck last week feel like a horrifying replay of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which killed nearly 200,000 people in Aceh alone.
As reported by Reuters, in Aceh Tamiang, residents rummage through mud and rubble. Local man Adi Hermawan, 45, said clean water and food are urgently needed.
“The settlement was completely destroyed, as if hit by a tsunami,” he said. “The difference is that victims may not have been found yet.”
Fisherman Effendi Basyaruddin recalled the moment 21 years ago when the sea “rose like a wall and smashed through my town,” saying the floods triggered his trauma.
Local leaders across Aceh are urging Jakarta to declare a national emergency to unlock more rescue funds.
North Aceh leader Ismail A Jalil broke down on video: “The number of victims is extraordinary. Homes are gone. There is no attention from the central government.”
Meanwhile, BPBD reported at least 47 deaths, more than 1,200 injured and 10,715 damaged structures across 24 sub-districts.
The floods affected 235,127 people, forcing 204,867 to evacuate to 820 shelters, including schools and community halls.
Power outages, fuel shortages and collapsed bridges have blocked rescue operations while isolating many areas.
“This data is provisional and will continue to change as assessments improve,” said East Aceh BPBD head Afifullah.
