MEDAN, NORTH SUMATRA —— “My house is still a mess, the ground is destroyed, and the flood debris hasn’t been cleaned up yet. But I choose to stay here (at the evacuation center) and help take care of this (food) for the residents,” said Mrs. Murni, a survivor of the flash flood disaster in Langkat, Medan, who volunteered her time and energy at the Dompet Dhuafa and Kitabisa.com Public Kitchen Post.
As lunchtime approached on Thursday (December 11, 2025), Mrs. Murni and several residents of Dusun l, Paya Bengkuang Village, Gebang Subdistrict, Langkat Regency, worked hard to cook and prepare 500 portions of food at the Public Kitchen Post located at the Al Hidayah Mosque evacuation center.
The mackerel and vegetable soup meal will be distributed to 90 families affected by flash floods in Hamlet I, Paya Bengkuang Village. In addition, many survivors from other villages also came there to pick up their lunch. Volunteers also distributed the food to survivors who were still staying in makeshift tents in the Tanjung Pura area.
“Alhamdulillah, thank you, this food aid means a lot to us because we cannot cook at home as many of our household appliances have been damaged,” said Mrs. Murni.
While preparing food in the public kitchen, another survivor, Mrs. Sugiani, also recounted that from Monday (1/12) to Wednesday (3/12), the rain did not subside. At night, the water began to rise to chest and even neck level for adults, and by Thursday (4/12) night, the water was even higher.
“The situation was rainy, dark, and the lights were out for several days. It was difficult to leave the house, but I still went out to rescue my grandchild. We also made a raft from banana trees, wood, and a broken refrigerator. This was so we could carry our belongings and necessities while the floodwaters were still high,” said Mrs. Sugiani.
She added, “Most household appliances are damaged, we can’t cook, and even the motorcycle is submerged. After this, our plan is to fix the motorcycle first.”
Supriyadi, one of the Dompet Dhuafa Volunteers (DDV), spoke about the urgent needs of the children. He emphasized, “Their school supplies are damaged, so we hope there will also be assistance to support their enthusiasm for learning. Because most of the residents affected by the flooding are daily workers, selling goods door-to-door, so their hopes of earning a living may be dashed.”
“The floodwaters here took a long time to recede, especially for residents living near the ditches, and even now there are still houses flooded with water,” added Supriyadi.
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Based on the latest data and reports from various sources (as of Thursday, December 11, 2025), the situation of floods and landslides in Sumatra, particularly in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, remains a serious concern. The death toll has reached 969-990 people. This number continues to be updated and is likely to increase. There are also 5,400 injured victims in the three provinces. Diseases are beginning to spread, and the evacuation centers are being hit by disease outbreaks.
The BMKG has also warned of the potential for extreme rainfall due to the influence of Tropical Cyclone Senyar, which is triggering extreme weather. The government, through the BNPB, BMKG, and related agencies, is conducting Weather Modification Operations (TMC), particularly in North Sumatra, by seeding salt to disperse clouds with the potential for extreme rainfall and reduce the risk of subsequent flooding/landslides.
The public is urged to remain vigilant and immediately move away from cliffs or riverbanks during extreme rainfall, given that the soil conditions are still unstable and prone to further landslides. The Disaster Emergency Response status has been extended in several areas such as South Tapanuli, Central Tapanuli, Sibolga, and Langkat. Thousands of residents still need food, clean water, medicine, and recovery support. Friends can help alleviate their burden by donating through digital.dompetdhuafa.org/donasi/prayforsumatera. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Dhika
Editor: Dedi Fadlil