Flooring Guide by Cinvex – The devastating floods and landslides that have swept across various regions of Sumatra have left behind not only physical destruction but also heart-wrenching stories that deeply stir the conscience.
Content creator Ferry Irwandi, who personally visited the affected areas, has brought to light harrowing accounts of the flood victims’ plight. His observations from Aceh Tamiang Regency in Aceh Province paint a grim picture of suffering and desperation.
Irwandi reported that residents trapped by the rising waters were forced to drink dirty floodwater to survive, as there was absolutely no access to clean water. This drastic measure was taken out of sheer necessity, with essential aid struggling to reach them. The revelations have shocked the public, exposing the harsh realities faced by flood victims in Sumatra.
The profound suffering of these communities underscores the urgent need for enhanced disaster management and robust protection for those in affected regions. In his latest YouTube upload, Ferry Irwandi detailed the dire situation in Aceh Tamiang, revealing the heart-rending struggle for survival among the local population.
Many residents had gone days without food, resorting to consuming floodwater. “There is no clean water, sir. We even drink the floodwater,” one resident confided to Ferry Irwandi. “We boil it, sometimes we mix it with tea powder so the mud smell isn’t too strong,” they added, highlighting their desperate ingenuity.
Beyond the lack of food and water, residents also endured nearly a week without electricity or communication networks. Villages plunged into complete darkness, severely limiting nighttime activities. Fuel prices in the disaster zone also skyrocketed, with residents reporting that one liter of gasoline was sold for Rp80,000–100,000, even as supplies from gas stations were restricted.
“If you don’t believe it, just ask. A large bottle costs Rp80,000. Sometimes, there isn’t even any available,” another resident lamented, illustrating the severe scarcity. Most of the assistance received, according to residents, came only from passing motorcyclists. “We only ate from aid given by passing motorbikes. We haven’t eaten for 3 to 4 days,” said a man whose home was completely buried in mud.
Amidst this terrifying situation, volunteer teams from various communities, including Ferry Irwandi, KitaBisa, Save The Children, and other humanitarian organizations, managed to penetrate remote areas to deliver vital supplies. These much-needed provisions included clean water, ready-to-eat meals, tents, mattresses, medicines, baby supplies, and even lighting equipment.
The video captured an emotional moment when volunteers switched on lights for residents who had endured a week in darkness. Cheers of gratitude erupted as the first lights illuminated the night. Ferry also noted the immense generosity of the Indonesian public, whose humanitarian campaign garnered an astounding Rp10 billion in just one day, subsequently allocated for clean water procurement, logistics, and other rescue equipment.
While some areas have gradually become accessible, conditions in the remote interior of Aceh Tamiang remain severely critical, with many villages still untouched by significant aid. “This is far from improving. It hasn’t improved at all. People are still hungry and isolated,” Ferry stated in his video. Residents are desperately hoping that the government will swiftly intervene with greater resources, particularly to open access routes, send substantial logistical support, and provide clean water and electricity. “What we desperately need is water, electricity, and food. There has been no significant assistance yet,” a resident pleaded.
As of now, numerous volunteers continue their arduous efforts to reach more distant affected points, utilizing double-cabin cars and other off-road vehicles, battling challenging terrains.
Aceh Tamiang Severely Affected
As reported by Serambinews on Saturday, December 6, 2025, Aceh Tamiang Regency in Aceh Province stands as one of the areas most severely impacted by the floods and landslides. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has confirmed a tragic increase in casualties in Aceh Tamiang.
The highest surge in fatalities originated from Aceh Tamiang, with additional lives reported lost following continued evacuation and search operations by combined SAR teams. According to Aceh Tamiang’s data, the death toll has tragically risen by 7, from a previous 45 to 57 lives lost. Beyond the fatalities, BNPB also reported that 151 Aceh residents remain missing, and over 3,500 people have been injured since the massive disaster struck in late November 2025.
Aceh Tamiang is currently under a state of disaster emergency. Thousands of residents remain displaced, access to aid is not fully restored, and the government, alongside the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces) and volunteers, continues to strive to open routes and restore vital facilities. The devastation extends beyond severed roads and power lines, with many areas choked by a deluge of logs. Furthermore, a significant number of flood victims have yet to receive adequate supplies of food or clean water.
Zaskia Adya Mecca’s Stirring Condemnation
Actress Zaskia Adya Mecca took to her Instagram social media account to share her harrowing experience and a scathing critique regarding the ongoing situation in Aceh Tamiang. She posted grim scenes from Tamiang, appearing visibly distraught and tearful as she witnessed the victims’ plight.
Quoted by Tribunnews, Zaskia directly challenged those responsible for deforestation, accusing them of causing the devastating floods. She questioned how such a monumental disaster could be rectified and managed. “Tamiang, Aceh, December 4, 2025, 22.30,” her post began.
“ARE YOU SATISFIED, THOSE WHO DEFORESTED THE FORESTS?! Can you sleep soundly? Can your hearts be at peace? Are you happy with the wealth you gained from all of this? Land clearance, forest burning, tree felling, mining activities.”
“Hundreds of thousands of people must bear the enormous impact of your selfishness – lives lost, possessions gone, injuries, isolation due to cut-off access, the threat of starvation looming. Aid feels incredibly slow! So what now?! How do we overcome all of this? What about the recovery ahead?” the mother of five passionately wrote.
Zaskia further recounted her immense struggles as a volunteer, admitting the immense difficulty in navigating the darkness and extremely challenging access in Tamiang. She therefore implored authorities to take swift and decisive action, deploying heavy equipment to reopen crucial access routes. She emphasized the urgency, stating that these actions must be taken quickly before the casualty count escalates further.
“One point I visited last night, for example, an Islamic boarding school with nearly a thousand students, had its 5-hectare backyard filled with solid mud and massive logs, utterly destroyed! Who will clean it up? Help remove all these logs? Rebuild it? There are countless affected spots like this, dozens, even hundreds.”
“We, as volunteers, are willing to move as quickly as possible, dedicating our time, energy, and resources. We distribute all aid. We listen and convey their situation. But opening severed access routes and deploying heavy equipment is not something we can easily manage.”
“Act quickly with all the capabilities you possess, given the profits you’ve made. Because right now, we are fighting against time!” she continued, delivering a powerful call to action.
Zaskia reiterated the immense scale of the flash flood and landslide impact in Tamiang, Aceh. Despite Zaskia and her fellow volunteers bringing three trucks full of aid, she felt it was insufficient to address the overwhelming problems on the ground. “It felt hopeless last night, being here with several independent volunteers (@projectakhirat_nsts @rangkulfoundation @ramaa1604 @_indadari_ @kitabisacom @haykalkamil @tasyanurmedina @tyasdwisunu @tantrinamirah @miadinari @ekapamor) even with 3 large trucks of aid, it didn’t feel like it significantly alleviated the severe impact they are experiencing,” Zaskia shared, adding a crying emoji.
Zaskia Adya Mecca further urged the government and all relevant authorities to act immediately, highlighting that many flood-affected areas remain inaccessible to aid. “Entering Tamiang, which had only just reopened its access, I immediately became emotional. What about the areas that still can’t be accessed at all?”
“There is still so much we need to help with… let’s move! Those with spare time, energy, and resources… let’s move together,” the artist wrote after witnessing the conditions in Aceh Tamiang post-flood.
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Read also: BNPB Head Says It’s Not Alarming, Ferry Irwandi Appalled to Find Aceh Tamiang Residents Drinking Floodwater
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Read also: Rp 10.3 Billion Collected in 24 Hours for Disaster Victims, Ferry Irwandi Silences Criticism About ‘Yapping’
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Summary
Content creator Ferry Irwandi revealed the severe plight of flood victims in Aceh Tamiang, Sumatra, where residents were forced to drink dirty floodwater due to a complete lack of clean water and restricted aid access. These communities also endured days without food, electricity, or communication, coupled with skyrocketing fuel prices. Many remote areas remained isolated and critically affected, with little significant aid reaching them.
Aceh Tamiang is severely impacted, facing a tragic increase in fatalities and numerous missing or injured residents, with thousands displaced. While volunteers delivered vital supplies and public donations exceeded Rp10 billion, actress Zaskia Adya Mecca condemned deforestation as a primary cause. She urgently called for government intervention, including deploying heavy equipment to reopen access routes and provide comprehensive relief, emphasizing the critical fight against time.