Tangerang, 30 November 2025 - Major flooding hit Sumatra last week, affecting thousands of residents who were forced to evacuate as extreme rainfall and environmental damage became the main triggers, while the government and volunteers carried out emergency response efforts to control the worsening situation.
In my opinion, flooding in Sumatra is not just a matter of extreme weather. It is a reflection of problems that we have long ignored: poor environmental management, uncontrolled land use change, and drainage systems that have never been properly repaired. Every year, the pattern is the same: heavy rains come, rivers overflow, and residents once again become victims.
Local governments should prioritize mitigation programs, not just post-disaster response. River cleaning, riverbank management, and public education on environmental management should be routine activities, not seasonal activities after flooding occurs. Without this commitment, Sumatra and Indonesia as a whole will continue to be caught in a cycle of exhausting disasters.
On the other hand, the public also needs to be more aware that environmental damage is not solely the fault of the government. Habits such as littering, cutting down trees without permission, or clearing land without considering the impact also contribute to the problem. Flooding is not just a natural phenomenon; it is the accumulation of the choices we make together.
This year's flooding in Sumatra should serve as a stark reminder that mitigation is not optional, but mandatory. If the government and the community do not work together, then the same disasters will continue to recur, with losses increasing year after year.
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