A deadly cyclone has hit the Indonesian island of Sumatra, devastating communities. Al Jazeera is investigating the scale of the destruction.
In late November 2025, a powerful cyclone brought several days of extreme rain to three provinces on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
At least 1,100 people were killed and more than 100 are missing. Tens of thousands of houses were destroyed and many public facilities sustained severe damage. Entire villages were destroyed by murky floodwaters.
Al Jazeera’s Indonesia team followed this story on the ground and heard directly from survivors as emergency services struggled to reach those in need. Weeks after the disaster, the fight continues. People are taking shelter in flimsy tents, but they are unable to protect themselves from the extreme heat. The disease continues to spread. Survivors and political analysts alike question whether the government’s response was efficient and well-coordinated.
Over several weeks, our cameras captured not only the immediate aftermath, but also the organizational challenges. Heavy deforestation, high poverty rates, and budget cuts all combine to make communities even more vulnerable when disaster strikes.
Published January 27, 2026
