TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Flash floods have caused widespread disruption in Aceh Province, leading to the collapse and damage of five 150 kV High Voltage Air Channel (SUTT) towers owned by state electricity firm PLN in Bireuen Regency. This critical infrastructure failure has knocked out the electricity supply to 18 regencies and cities across Aceh.
The affected areas span from the northern tip to the south, including Banda Aceh, Aceh Besar, Pidie, Pidie Jaya, Bireun, Aceh Utara, Lhokseumawe, Bener Meriah, Aceh Tengah, Aceh Timur, Langsa, Aceh Tamiang, Aceh Jaya, Aceh Barat, Nagan Raya, Aceh Barat Daya, Aceh Selatan, and Aceh Singkil.
Lukman Hakim, PLN’s Communication and TJSL Manager for the Aceh Distribution Unit, confirmed that the utility is taking immediate action.
"PLN is constructing five emergency towers to restore the electricity flow," Lukman stated in a written statement on Thursday, November 27, 2025. "We ask for support to ensure that the work in the field goes smoothly and the electricity supply can be restored as soon as possible."
PLN has mobilized hundreds of technical personnel and dozens of heavy equipment, including bringing in emergency restoration teams from North Sumatra, Riau, Jakarta, West Java, and Central Java. To accelerate the repairs, additional materials were shipped from Palembang, Lampung, Jambi, Pekanbaru, and Padang. The company will provide restoration updates through official channels and the PLN Mobile service.
Telecommunications Cut-Off
The widespread power outage has had a broad and isolating impact, particularly on the telecommunications network in several areas. Many residents have been unable to contact family members in the flood-affected zones.
Teuku Zulman, an Aceh resident currently in Jakarta, stated he lost contact with his family in Langsa since Wednesday afternoon. "Communication access to the city of Langsa is completely cut off. Until now, I have not known the condition of my family," he said on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
The Aceh Disaster Management Agency (BPBA) Control Center confirmed the severity of the blackout. "Electricity and internet are completely out. Several towers are down and are undergoing repairs," said BPBA duty officer Fauzan, who noted that the agency could not yet ascertain when the systems would return to normal.
Disaster Scope and Response
The floods in Aceh are the result of heavy rainfall that has persisted since November 18, 2025. The BPBA recorded that as of November 26, floods had struck nine regencies/cities, including Bireuen, Aceh Utara, Aceh Timur, Langsa, Aceh Selatan, and Lhokseumawe.
The current toll stands at 46,893 affected residents, with 1,497 people displaced. The flooding was compounded by landslides in several areas due to unstable land structures. In Langsa, the situation was exacerbated by water overflow from surrounding plantation areas, inundating at least 110 houses in Desa Paya Bujok Seulemak with water reaching 20–40 centimeters high.
Acting Head of BPBA, Fadmi Ridwan, stated that nine areas in Aceh have declared a hydrometeorological disaster emergency. The BPBA is actively coordinating with regional agencies to expedite evacuations, distribute aid, and support the electricity restoration efforts.
"We urge the public to remain vigilant against the potential for subsequent floods, land movement, and landslides, especially in high-risk areas," Fadmi cautioned.
Dian Rahma Finka contributed to the report.
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