Severe flooding across Indonesia has left communities devastated as residents begin the difficult process of recovering what little remains of their homes and belongings. Over the past week, catastrophic flash floods and landslides — triggered by a series of tropical cyclones — have caused widespread destruction across Southeast Asia.

Indonesia has been hit the hardest, with at least 631 lives lost, and officials expect the death toll to increase as rescue teams slowly reach isolated areas cut off by washed-out roads and thick mud.

Families Describe Terrifying Escapes as Floodwaters Rose

In Aceh Province, many residents were forced to flee quickly as water levels surged without warning. Nurdin, a 71-year-old resident of Langsa, said he and his wife had to rely on neighbors to help them escape after water rushed into their home. The couple eventually found temporary shelter in a local mosque, along with many others displaced by the storm.

Although they are safe now, the damage to their home is severe. According to Nurdin’s family members, most of their possessions were either swept away or destroyed by mud and water, leaving only a few items salvageable.

Communities Across Sumatra Report Widespread Losses

In North Aceh Regency, residents like 70-year-old Nurkasyah returned home to find nearly all their belongings ruined. Kitchen appliances, food supplies, and furniture were soaked or buried in layers of mud. She and hundreds of others took refuge in a community center for several days, surviving on limited food supplies until it was safe to leave.

Many parts of Sumatra remain unreachable due to landslides and road blockages. Emergency crews are still working to clear major routes, while local volunteers help transport supplies to affected communities.

Travel Chaos Strands Hundreds for Days

Meanwhile, travel across the region has been heavily disrupted. Nasir, whose mother was sheltering from the floods in Kuta Makmur, was himself stranded for five days while traveling from Banda Aceh to Medan. Rising water levels forced his bus to stop in Kuala Simpang, where passengers waited on higher ground until they could find a way out.

Eventually, a group of passengers secured a boat to move past the flooded zone and later found transportation to continue their journey. Many travelers in the region are experiencing similar delays, with airports and main roads struggling to operate normally.

Extreme Weather Across Southeast Asia

The recent storms have not only affected Indonesia. Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia have also faced severe floods, bringing the regional death toll to more than 1,140 people. Meteorologists attribute the widespread flooding to the combined impact of three tropical cyclones that brought heavy rain and caused rivers to overflow.

A Long Road to Recovery

Humanitarian organizations are working with Indonesian authorities to support displaced residents by providing temporary shelter, food supplies, and medical assistance. Recovery may take months, as communities clear damaged homes, rebuild infrastructure, and restore access to isolated villages.

For survivors like Nurdin, Nurkasyah, and Nasir, the coming weeks will focus on cleaning up, replacing essentials, and finding stability after one of the most destructive flood events Indonesia has seen in recent years.