Alif Ilham Fajriadi, Jakarta – Recent floods and landslides that swept through northern parts of Sumatra were not solely triggered by climate factors or extreme weather, said an Atmospheric physics professor at Andalas University in Padang, West Sumatra.
Environmental degradation
Heavy continuous rain since November 17, along with a tropical storm that formed in the Malacca Strait, has been widely acknowledged as the cause of the disasters. But the professor said the extensive damage seen in rivers, broken bridges, and drifting logs was not just caused by climate factors.
"Environmental degradation plays a part," he said on Monday, December 1, as reported by Antara.
Marzuki explained that the evidence shows that environmental damage exacerbated the impacts of hydrometeorological disasters.
"Rivers fundamentally have natural pathways, and when these pathways are disrupted due to human activities, the disasters that occur become more severe," he pointed out.
He called on the government and stakeholders to prioritize environmental management to minimize damage during disasters. Extreme rainfall may not be controllable, he said, but its impact can be reduced. "The key lies in environmental management."
Sumatra floods call for policy review
Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni previously pledged to evaluate forest and environmental management policies in the wake of the floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. He referred to these tragic events as a moment for policy evaluation, especially in anticipating ecologically harmful disasters for the public.
"Everyone sees, hears, and feels what is happening in these three provinces. We express our deep sorrow, but this is also a good opportunity for us to evaluate policies," Raja Juli stated in his written statement on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Raja Juli made the remark during his visit to Riau on Saturday, November 29, as part of the handover of Customary Forest Certificates to the local indigenous communities, whom he considers most capable of preserving the area.
Nevertheless, Raja Juli only acknowledged illegal deforestation as one of the primary causes of this disaster. He then called for public support to resolve this issue to prevent similar disasters from recurring in the future.
The floods and landslides in Sumatra have killed 442 residents as of November 30, with about 402 people reported missing. Head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) Suharyanto stated that North Sumatra has been the most affected with the highest number of casualties.
He detailed that the death toll in North Sumatra has reached 217 people, with 209 missing. Then in West Sumatra, 129 have died, and 118 are still missing. Furthermore, the death toll in Aceh reached 96 with 75 others missing.