Aceh has been brought to a standstill by massive floods and landslides in recent days, with vast areas now completely paralyzed. Governor Muzakir Manaf, also known as Mualem, has conceded that the government is struggling to cope with the emergency, as numerous bridges and national roads have been severed, rendering access to several regions impossible.
“We are overwhelmed because several bridges are cut off, especially in the central and eastern regions. Many locations are completely inaccessible,” stated Mualem on Thursday, November 27, 2025, after declaring a disaster emergency status at the Aceh Regional House of Representatives office.
This emergency status will remain in effect for 14 days, from November 28 to December 11, 2025. To address the critical access challenges, Mualem announced that the provincial government has coordinated with the Aceh Police Chief to deploy helicopters, ensuring vital aid can reach areas cut off from ground routes.
Nearly 120,000 Affected, Thousands Displaced
The Aceh Disaster Management Agency (BPBA) reported that as of Thursday, November 27, 2025, a staggering 119,988 individuals from 3,817 households have been impacted by the disaster. Furthermore, 20,759 people, spanning 6,998 households, have sought refuge in evacuation centers. The emergency response on the ground is severely hampered by extreme weather conditions, widespread power outages, and a complete loss of communication signals, compounding the humanitarian crisis.
“The Aceh government will work to its utmost to meet the needs of our citizens, but much of our access remains severed,” Mualem affirmed, highlighting the persistent challenges.
Bener Meriah and Central Aceh Completely Cut Off
The most devastating impact has been felt in the regencies of Bener Meriah and Central Aceh, where several critical arterial routes connecting the two areas have been obliterated by flash floods and landslides. Among the severed lifelines are the KKA road (linking North Aceh-Bener Meriah), the Simpang Tiga-Pondok Baru access via Kampung Bale and Kampung Ujung Gele, the Bener Meriah-Takengon road via the Takengon-Bireuen route, and the direct Bener Meriah-Bireuen access.
These vital routes represent the sole pathways to the respective regency capitals, leaving no alternative access for residents or relief efforts. Further exacerbating the transport crisis, in Pidie Jaya, the national bridge connecting Banda Aceh and Medan at Manyang Cut, Meureudu, has been completely destroyed by the floods, effectively paralyzing national transportation flows.
Buildings Collapse, Widespread Power Outages, Communication Failures
Beyond the infrastructure disruptions, the relentless floods and landslides also caused the Dayah Najmul Hidayah Al-Aziziyah dormitory in Samalanga, Bireuen, to collapse into the Batee Iliek River. Compounding the already dire situation, widespread power outages and the loss of internet and telephone networks have persisted since Wednesday, November 25, 2025, severely impeding crucial data collection and evacuation efforts.
Joint teams on the ground are grappling with severe limitations, lacking essential heavy equipment, rubber boats, sufficient evacuation personnel, emergency logistics, and reliable communication channels. Alarmingly, the stock of vital supplies at various relief posts is rapidly dwindling.
Adding to Aceh’s woes, amidst the ongoing flood and landslide response, the region was further struck by a magnitude 6.3 earthquake in Simeulue Regency. This seismic event inflicted damage to buildings and left dozens injured, including several athletes participating in the Pra PORA Karate sports branch.
“Buildings at the competition venue were damaged, and several athletes sustained injuries,” confirmed Zulfadli, Head of the Simeulue BPBD, underscoring the multi-faceted nature of the crisis gripping Aceh.
Summary
Aceh has been severely impacted by massive floods and landslides, affecting nearly 120,000 people and displacing over 20,000. Governor Muzakir Manaf declared a 14-day disaster emergency from November 28 to December 11, 2025, acknowledging the government’s struggle to cope. Numerous bridges and national roads are severed, rendering many regions inaccessible, prompting the deployment of helicopters for vital aid.
The disaster has left Bener Meriah and Central Aceh completely cut off due to destroyed arterial routes, and a national bridge in Pidie Jaya was also obliterated, paralyzing transportation. Widespread power outages and communication failures since November 25, 2025, are hindering relief efforts, which already face challenges from extreme weather and a lack of resources. Compounding the crisis, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake in Simeulue Regency further damaged buildings and injured dozens.