Indonesia has been experiencing recurrent floods and landslides since late 2025, largely linked to seasonal monsoon rains. These disasters have affected several regions across the country, including Sulawesi, Sumatra, Java, and Kalimantan, causing casualties and widespread damage to homes, infrastructure, and local services.

According to data from the Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), more than 1,400 flood incidents were recorded in Indonesia during 2025, making floods the most frequent natural disaster in the country. The same data indicate that approximately 5.6 million people were affected by natural disasters across Indonesia during the year, with floods accounting for the majority of these impacts.

Several regions have also experienced deadly incidents linked to flooding and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall. Among them were the floods in North Sulawesi in January 2026, which resulted in at least 16 deaths and injuries to several others, in addition to damage to homes and local infrastructure in the affected areas.

These recurring floods have damaged thousands of houses, submerged residential neighborhoods, and disrupted local transportation networks in several regions. As a result, thousands of families have been forced to temporarily relocate to safer areas or emergency shelters. In this context, humanitarian needs include providing temporary shelter for affected families, delivering emergency food assistance and clean water, supporting basic health services in affected areas, and repairing damaged roads and infrastructure to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid. Strengthening early warning systems and disaster risk management mechanisms is also essential to reduce the impact of future flooding.

Floods remain among the most frequent natural disasters in Indonesia due to the country’s geographical characteristics, which include thousands of islands and extensive river systems. Seasonal monsoon rains, combined with rapid urban expansion and deforestation, continue to increase the risk of flooding and landslides across many parts of the country.

The recurring floods in Indonesia highlight the growing challenges posed by natural disasters in Southeast Asia. Intense seasonal rainfall continues to cause significant damage to communities and infrastructure, emphasizing the need to strengthen early warning systems, urban planning, and disaster risk management in order to reduce human and material losses and improve community resilience.