Based on the most recent update on Friday morning (the 28th of November), heavy rains in several areas in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra Provinces over the past few days have caused at least 90 deaths, with dozens more reported missing.
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (Badan Meteorologi, Klimatologi, dan Geofisika or BMKG) reported that the heavy rains, which triggered widespread flooding and landslides in many areas, were caused by a weather phenomenon known as Tropical Cyclone Senyar. This cyclone increases the moisture content over the warm waters of the Malacca Strait, leading to the development of convective clouds in northern Sumatra.
“In the next 24 hours, Tropical Cyclone Senyar will move westward to southwestward, remaining over the Aceh mainland at a speed of 4 knots (7 km/h). In the next 48 hours, Tropical Cyclone Senyar is expected to decrease in intensity to a tropical depression,” the Head of BMKG, Teuku Faisal Fathani, previously said in a press conference at the BMKG’s MHEWS Command Center Building in Jakarta on Wednesday, the 26th of November.
Due to the ongoing impact of Tropical Cyclone Senyar, the resulting extreme weather is expected to pose further risks, particularly in Aceh, North Sumatra, the Riau Islands, Riau, West Sumatra, and surrounding areas on the island of Sumatra. BMKG continues to monitor atmospheric developments related to Tropical Cyclone Senyar through the Tropical Cyclone Warning Center (TCWC) in Jakarta.
Meanwhile, Andri Ramdhani, Director of Public Meteorology at BMKG, explained that Indonesia’s position near the equator typically makes it less conducive to the formation or passage of tropical cyclones. However, he also noted that over the past five years, several tropical cyclones have approached Indonesian territory and caused significant impacts.
“Phenomena like Tropical Cyclone Senyar are relatively uncommon in the waters of the Malacca Strait, especially if they cross land. BMKG emphasises the importance of public preparedness and vigilance regarding the potential weather impacts that could arise as this system moves through the region,” Ramdhani remarked.
As of Thursday, the 27th of November, the Aceh Provincial Disaster Management Agency reported that floods and landslides inundated 20 of the 23 districts and cities in Aceh Province. Flooding has also submerged agricultural land and disrupted electricity and telecommunications networks due to collapsed transmission poles. On the same day, the North Sumatra Provincial Disaster Management Agency recorded that floods and landslides had affected 13 districts and cities in North Sumatra Province. The West Sumatra Provincial Disaster Management Agency reported that floods and landslides had hit 13 districts and cities in West Sumatra Province, affecting approximately 12,000 people.
The Indonesian government is preparing to immediately distribute logistical aid in the form of rice and cooking oil to flood and landslide victims in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
“First up is rice, with 16,000 tons for North Sumatra, followed by 3,000 tons of cooking oil. We’re sending 6,700 tons of rice and 1,300 tons of cooking oil to West Sumatra. We’re [also] sending 10,000 tons of rice and 2,000 tons of cooking oil to Aceh,” said Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman during a press conference at the office of the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture on Friday, the 28th of November.
🚨 Terrible scenes coming out of West Sumatra in Indonesia today due to flooding 🙏🇮🇩
📍 Saniangbaka, Solok Regency pic.twitter.com/xG4ixcQTVc
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) November 27, 2025