Local governments on the Indonesian island of Sumatra are struggling to manage a catastrophic flooding crisis that has claimed at least 770 lives. The disaster, triggered by a rare equatorial cyclone last week, has left hundreds of people missing and caused significant destruction across three provinces. Entire villages have been obliterated, along with critical infrastructure and communication systems.
In the wake of the flooding, local leaders have expressed their inability to respond effectively, citing insufficient resources and budget constraints. Masinton Pasaribu, the regent of Central Tapanuli in North Sumatra province, stated that the financial situation has become dire after Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto implemented austerity measures that slashed transfers to local governments. “So our fiscal situation is more difficult,” he said. “Plus, now we have this disaster. We are now under this condition – complete exhaustion.”
According to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), at least 86 fatalities have been reported in Pasaribu’s jurisdiction alone. Despite the escalating death toll and ongoing recovery efforts, President Prabowo has refrained from declaring a national emergency. This declaration could facilitate the allocation of resources and streamline bureaucratic processes, enabling a more coordinated national response.
Some regencies have formally requested assistance from their provincial governments, asserting that the scale of the disaster surpasses their logistical and financial capabilities. One regent stated, “Considering the huge impact by the disaster and the regency’s limited ability in the form of logistics availability, equipment, human resources and budget, we are of the opinion that the Aceh provincial government needs to take over the emergency disaster response.”
In response to questions regarding the lack of a national emergency declaration, Pratikno, the coordinating minister for human development and cultural affairs, indicated that the president had instructed “all ministries and agencies” to mobilize resources to the fullest extent. Prabowo defended the current approach, asserting that the “current measures” are “adequate.”
The last national emergency declaration by Indonesia occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the previous instance being the devastating 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. Environmental groups have pointed to large-scale deforestation as a significant factor exacerbating the flooding. Greenpeace Indonesia reported that most river catchments on Sumatra are critically affected, primarily due to palm oil plantations, dryland agriculture, and other land-intensive industries.
While the administration has focused on illegal operations, announcing plans for a forestry taskforce investigation, survivors continue to struggle in the aftermath of the floods. During a recent tour of the affected regions, Prabowo urged local governments to enhance their efforts to mitigate future extreme weather conditions, emphasizing the need for collaboration between central and regional governments.
The disaster has drawn parallels with similar flooding in Sri Lanka, where Cyclone Ditwah has resulted in a death toll of 465, and devastating storms in southern Thailand that claimed at least 185 lives in late September. As the situation develops in Sumatra, the focus remains on securing essential aid and resources to support recovery efforts and prevent further loss of life.
The urgent need for coordinated action highlights the challenges faced by a nation grappling with climate change and its effects, prompting calls for a re-evaluation of budget priorities. According to Dr. Hilman Palaon from the Lowy Institute, budget cuts have hindered essential disaster mitigation efforts, overshadowing climate-related concerns.
As Sumatra seeks assistance during this crisis, the response from both local and national governments will be critical in determining the scale of recovery and future preparedness for natural disasters.
