Hendrik Yaputra, Jakarta – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said the situation in North Sumatra has improved since the severe floods and landslides at the end of November, while emphasizing that the government will continue to monitor affected communities.
Prabowo made the remarks during a visit to MAN 1 Langkat, an Islamic senior high school in Langkat Regency, North Sumatra, which is currently serving as a temporary refugee center for residents displaced by the floods, on Saturday, December 13, 2025.
"Alhamdulillah (Thank God), conditions in North Sumatra have improved since my last visit. I will continue to monitor developments day by day, week by week," he said, as broadcast on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel.
The president visited the refugee post to assess the needs of residents displaced by the disaster. He addressed ongoing challenges, including the shortage of clean water and damaged embankments, and assured that government agencies, along with the military and police, would provide assistance.
"The clean water shortage has been reported to me. Repairs of the embankments will be supported by the Army and the police," Prabowo said.
He assured that all disaster-affected communities would receive government support. "You are part of us. We are your family. We will not leave you alone," he said.
Accompanying Prabowo were Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf, and North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution.
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) previously reported preliminary data on fatalities from the floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
Abdul Muhari, head of BNPB's Data, Information, and Communication Center, said the death toll increased by five people on Friday, December 12, 2025, bringing the total to 995.
Abdul also noted an increase in the number of missing persons, from 202 people on December 11 to 226 on December 12. The flash floods and landslides struck the three provinces on November 25. BNPB has estimated the total recovery cost for the affected areas at Rp51.82 trillion.