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—
Indonesian Forum for the Environment (
Walhi
) North Sumatra (North Sumatra) stated that flash floods and landslides in a number of areas of North Sumatra occurred due to damage to the Harangan Tapanuli Ecosystem or
Batang Toru
.
Executive Director of North Sumatra Walhi, Rianda Purba, said that the areas that experienced the worst damage were around Batang Toru, including South Tapanuli Regency, Central Tapanuli, North Tapanuli and Sibolga City.
“The Harangan Tapanuli or Batang Toru Ecosystem is one of the last essential tropical forest landscapes in North Sumatra,” said Rianda, Friday (28/11/2025) in a written statement.
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According to him, administratively, the Harangan Tapanuli forest cover is divided into North Tapanuli (66.7%), South Tapanuli (22.6%), and Central Tapanuli (10.7%).As part of Bukit Barisan, this forest is the main water source, prevents erosion, and is the center of the river basin (DAS) which flows downstream.
“We see that every flood carries large pieces of wood. Satellite imagery also shows deforested areas around the location. This is proof that the company’s policy of opening up forest clearing space has exacerbated the damage in Batang Toru,” he said.
Rianda assessed that the logs that were swept away by the flood were a strong indicator of logging in the area around the disaster.The rate of deforestation in the area is difficult to stop because companies operating in the Batang Toru ecosystem cut down trees while taking cover behind permits issued by the government.
“Flash floods and landslides are often said to be the result of continuous rain as if the disaster came purely from nature without human intervention,” he said.
Rianda added that from the 2022-2026 national disaster risk assessment document for North Sumatra Province, areas in the Batang Toru Ecosystem are included in the category with a high risk of flooding and landslides.
“Only Samosir Regency is in the low risk category. Areas affected by floods and landslides have now been mapped as vulnerable areas,” he said.
Walhi also emphasized the importance of preserving Batang Toru, which is a habitat for endangered animals such as the Tapanuli orangutan, Sumatran tiger, tapir and various other protected species.
“The natural disaster that occurs is not just climate change and high rainfall intensity, but the big supporting factor is quite massive illegal logging. Ecosystem damage certainly threatens biodiversity, and also increases the risk of disaster for the surrounding community,” he explained.
Rianda accused seven companies of allegedly playing a role in destroying forests and land in the Batang Toru watershed, ranging from mining, energy, to plantations.The company is located in the North Tapanuli, South Tapanuli and Central Tapanuli areas.
Therefore, Walhi demands the government to stop extractive industrial activities in the Batang Toru Ecosystem.Then take firm action against perpetrators of environmental damage, including seven companies who are indicated to be destroying forests and land in the Batang Toru watershed.
“We also ask the government to establish a policy for protecting the Batang Toru ecosystem through district, provincial and national RTRW in an integrated manner as well as ensuring the basic needs of survivors and evaluating disaster-prone areas to mitigate similar incidents,” he concluded.
Previously, the North Sumatra Regional Police recorded floods, landslides and tornadoes that spread to 19 city districts in North Sumatra.High intensity rain and natural damage are the main causes of successive disasters in the last few days.
Head of Public Relations of the North Sumatra Regional Police, Kombes Ferry Walintukan, said that of the total events mapped, the disaster was dominated by floods with 214 incidents, followed by landslides with 135 incidents, fallen trees with 16 incidents, and tornadoes with 2 incidents.
“It was recorded that 62 people died, 13 people were seriously injured, 82 people were slightly injured and 65 people were still not found or are still being searched. Then 9,845 people who were affected were still taking refuge in the locations provided,” said Ferry, Friday (28/11/2025).
The areas affected by the disaster are Central Tapanuli, Sibolga, North Tapanuli, South Tapanuli, Mandailing Natal, Pakpak Bharat, Humbang Hasundutan, Nias, Padangsidimpuan, Langkat, South Nias, Serdangbedagai, Medan, Deliserdang, Tanah Karo, Tebingtinggi, Batubara, Binjai and Asahan.
“The worst affected areas include Central Tapanuli Regency (Tapteng), Sibolga City, North Tapanuli Regency (Taput), South Tapanuli Regency (Tapsel), and the Medan City area,” he said.
(frd/fra/fra)
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