Government Sends Assistance Using Helicopters, Reaches Isolated Sumatra Disaster Point

KSAL Admiral TNI Muhammad Ali after reviewing the delivery of aid departing from the Military Cross-Navy Command Headquarters, North Jakarta. (Diah-VOI)

JAKARTA - The government has deployed five helicopters that will send logistical assistance to areas affected by floods and landslides in Sumatra. The deployment of helicopters is a continuation of the distribution of aid via air after the delivery of hercules aircraft.

This was revealed by the Chief of Naval Staff (KSAL) Admiral Muhammad Ali after reviewing the delivery of aid departing from the Military Cross-Navy Command Headquarters, North Jakarta.

"We brought 5 helicopters, yes. There is Heli Panther, hopefully it can also be supported by Heli Bell. Their job will also help, especially drop logistics materials and contact materials, especially disconnected areas. It is cut off and isolated due to this natural disaster," Ali said on Sunday, November 30.

This helicopter will immediately land and distribute logistics to help meet the emergency needs after the disaster of the affected residents. So, this can ease their burden.

"Hopefully the helicopters that we carry can also go directly to areas, locations that are difficult to reach, and can drop logistical assistance there. Especially those whose roads have been cut off due to natural disasters, I hear that many roads have been cut off both in Sibolga, North Sumatra, and in Aceh," said Ali.

In addition, the Indonesian Navy has also deployed three warships (KRI) to accelerate the distribution of aid to floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. The sending of KRIs transporting aid from various parties was carried out simultaneously from Jakarta on Sunday morning.

"Today we will simultaneously send from Jakarta three KRIs. Namely KRI dr. Soeharso, KRI Semarang, and KRI Teluk Gilimanuk. Later they split, some went to Lhokseumawe, then some went to Nias, some went to Sibolga, to Langsa as well," said Ali.

Ali explained that the strengthening of the fleet was also carried out from Surabaya and Belawan to accelerate post-disaster emergency handling.

"Following KRI dr. Radjiman will also go from Surabaya to the location in Sibolga. And KRI Sutedi Senoputra is currently from Belawan and has gone straight to Aceh, Lhokseumawe," said Ali.

He said all ships carried logistical assistance and medical personnel who would be deployed to several affected areas. Ali also said that Marine soldiers had been deployed using rubber boats to reach residents who were still trapped in the flood.

"So now, especially the Navy, sending Marines with rubber boats is already moving at this time, helping those who are still trapped on the roofs of their houses because the flooding is quite heavy and deep," he explained.

Flash floods and landslides have occurred since November 25, this has hit a number of cities and districts in three provinces. BNPB recorded that as of November 29, 2025, the death toll reached 303 people, 279 were still missing, and 18 were injured.

In detail, 166 died in North Sumatra, 90 in West Sumatra, and 47 in Aceh. Meanwhile, the highest missing victims were North Sumatra (133), West Sumatra (85), and Aceh (51).