Mahyeldi: Losses Due To West Sumatra Floods Rp 1.2 Trillion!

Governor of West Sumatra (West Sumatra) Mahyeldi Ansharullah (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - West Sumatra Governor (West Sumatra) Mahyeldi Ansharullah said the total loss of flash floods and landslides in his area reached Rp 1.2 trillion.

At least more than 30,000 buildings including residents' houses, schools, hospitals, and various vital infrastructures were damaged. Not only that, 13,000 hectares of rice fields in West Sumatra were also affected.

Seeing the impact this caused, Mahyeldi asked the central government to immediately determine the flash floods and landslides that hit its territory as a national disaster.

According to him, the scale of damage and the increasing number of victims require greater cross-ministerial support and resource allocation.

"Looking at the scale of the damage and the number of victims, we assess that handling this disaster requires full support from the central government," said Mahyeldi.

As of Monday (12/12/2025) afternoon, data recorded 151 people died, while 118 people were still missing. Around 130,000 residents fled to refugee camps that have been established by the local government together with volunteers. This situation adds to pressure on logistics, health services, and the availability of emergency housing.

Mahyeldi assessed that the post-disaster recovery process will last long, especially since infrastructure and settlement development require large funding. It is feared that this condition will be more complicated with the budget efficiency policy in 2026.

"The recovery process is certainly not short. Apart from emergency response efforts, long-term planning is needed so that people can return to their activities safely," he said.

The West Sumatra Provincial Government has also prepared a plan to relocate residents living in flood-prone areas and landslides. Mapping of safe areas continues to be carried out to ensure relocation does not place residents at the risk of repeated disasters.

The West Sumatra Provincial Government hopes that the determination of national disaster status can accelerate logistics distribution, strengthen coordination between central and regional agencies, and accelerate the recovery of the most affected areas. This step is considered important to ensure that people can rise again and carry out economic activities normally.