Estimated Economic Losses due to Sumatra Disaster

Floods and landslides hit three provinces on Sumatra Island, namely Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra, at the end of November 2025.

According to calculations by the Center of Economic and Law Studies (Celios), this disaster caused economic losses of approximately Rp2.2 trillion.

This figure comprises estimated losses from damage to homes, roads, bridges, cessation of agricultural production, and loss of community income in Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra.

Below are the details of the estimated economic losses due to the Sumatra disaster, according to Celios' calculations as of November 30, 2025:

Aceh

• Losses in the food crop agriculture sector: Rp0.06 trillion
• Losses in the construction sector: Rp0.97 trillion
• Losses in the trade sector: Rp0.18 trillion
• Total: Rp1.21 trillion

West Sumatra

• Losses in the food crop agriculture sector: Rp0.07 trillion
• Losses in the construction sector: Rp0.51 trillion
• Losses in the trade sector: Rp0.04 trillion
• Total: Rp0.62 trillion

North Sumatra

• Losses in the food crop agriculture sector: Rp0.01 trillion
• Losses in the construction sector: Rp0.38 trillion
• Losses in the trade sector: Rp0.05 trillion
• Total: Rp0.44 trillion

"When natural disasters occur, they disrupt distribution channels and cause trade to weaken," Celios stated in the report Economic Impact of the Sumatra Flood Disaster (December 2025).

"Community consumption also weakens due to a lack of income during the disaster period," it continued.

According to Celios, this disaster was influenced by the large amount of land in Sumatra converted into mining and oil palm plantation areas, which triggers deforestation and disrupts environmental resilience.

Celios also urged the government to implement a moratorium or suspension on granting new business permits.

"A moratorium on new mining permits, including expansions, a total evaluation of all companies holding permits, and demanding reclamation are necessary to prevent disasters from recurring," Celios said.

"The same applies to palm oil; a moratorium on oil palm plantation permits is the ultimate solution," they added.