November 29, 2025 | 11:30 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Chair of the House Commission VIII (DPR), Marwan Dasopang, suspects that the recent flooding in several areas of North Sumatra, especially in South Tapanuli (Tapsel) and Central Tapanuli (Tapteng), was caused by deforestation. He urges the government to coordinate with the TNI/Polri (army and police) to investigate deforestation in North Sumatra.
The National Awakening Party (PKB) politician made the statement upon arriving at one of the evacuation points in Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, on Thursday, November 27, 2025. "In fact, when flash floods occurred in Tapteng and Tapsel, and many logs were washed away, it indicates deforestation at the headwaters, resulting in flash floods," said Marwan, as quoted from a written statement on the official website of the PKB Faction, on Saturday, November 29, 2025.
He emphasizes that this cannot be taken lightly. According to him, while certain individuals benefit personally, the community and the government bear the impact. He also highlights that the severe flooding has caused landslides, road closures, and the destruction of bridges, houses, and property.
"We urge the government and related authorities to investigate deforestation in the North Sumatra region," Marwan stated. "Natural disasters like this will continue to occur if deforestation is not immediately addressed."
Flash floods and landslides have struck dozens of regencies/cities in North Sumatra. Extreme rains since November 25, 2025, have triggered flooding and landslides, resulting in hundreds of casualties.
The Governor of North Sumatra, Bobby Nasution, has declared a state of emergency. He stated that the local government prioritizes the search and rescue of victims, emergency services, and the reopening of transport routes. Logistic assistance has been distributed to most areas; however, Central Tapanuli and Sibolga are still inaccessible by land, he said.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) recorded that the number of casualties in North Sumatra due to the disaster has reached 116. This figure is based on BNPB data compiled until Friday afternoon, November 28, 2025.
The Head of BNPB, Lieutenant General TNI Suharyanto, revealed that the casualties are scattered in several regencies/cities in North Sumatra affected by the flooding and landslides. "As of today, this evening, we have recorded 116 fatalities throughout the Province of North Sumatra, and 42 are still missing," Suharyanto said in a press conference broadcast on BNPB's official YouTube channel on Friday, November 28, 2025.
He mentioned that the number of casualties may increase. The reason is that rescue teams have not yet reached some areas.
"There are still areas that have not been reached, indicating that there may be casualties in those areas," he said.
According to Suharyanto, North Sumatra has been the hardest-hit region. "The heaviest impact is in North Sumatra, this is the fourth day," he said.
He also provided details of the casualties in North Sumatra. Based on the latest BNPB data, the death toll in Central Tapanuli is 47, South Tapanuli is 32, Sibolga is 17, North Tapanuli is 11, Humbang Hasundutan is 6, Pakpak Bharat is 2, and Padang Sidempuan has 1 fatality.
Editor's Choice: No National Disaster Status Yet for Sumatra Floods, Prabowo: 'We Are Monitoring the Situation'
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