Photo Essay: Climate Change and Deforestation Collide in Indonesia’s Deadly Floods

An aerial view shows vast remains of uprooted trees at the Darul Mukhlisin Islamic boarding school and mosque in the aftermath of flash floods at Aceh Tamiang in Northern Sumatra | Photo: Garry Lotulung

In a photo essay for The Revelator: Environmental Truth & Justice, Garry Lotulung shows the devastating effects of the floods in Aceh, Indonesia.

The massive Senyar cyclone that hit Indonesia in November brought heavy rains and caused devastating floods and landslides that displaced an estimated 3.3 million people and resulted in more than 1,030 deaths. Similar extreme weather has struck several countries in South and Southeast Asia, including Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

“I lost my husband, and our house is damaged and filled with mud,” says Siti Basmallah, of Babo village in Aceh Tamiang Regency.

“I saw the flood reach 15 meters [50 feet] above our houses,” Siti says. “Villages turned into rivers and homes were destroyed.”