InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Relentless rainfall at the end of 2025 triggered widespread flooding and landslides across Sumatra, severely impacting regions such as Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

Floodwaters that initially pooled in villages quickly turned into uncontrollable currents. Rivers overflowed, hillsides collapsed, and landslides caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. Economic activities were disrupted, and many residents were forced to evacuate.

Amid the destruction, questions—and accusations—began to emerge.

In several areas, residents found logs carried downstream, sparking speculation about deforestation in upstream regions. This quickly fueled public debate, with some linking the disasters to oil palm plantations.

Palm oil has increasingly been portrayed as a contributor to environmental degradation and ecological disasters. But is the issue truly that simple?

Environmental realities are often more complex than public narratives suggest. While land-use changes can impact ecosystems, scientists also highlight climate change as a major contributing factor.

Extreme rainfall patterns, rising sea surface temperatures, and atmospheric disturbances have intensified weather anomalies in Southeast Asia, even triggering cyclonic conditions.

In this context, ecological disasters are likely the result of multiple interconnected factors—ranging from global climate change to local land management and development dynamics.

This issue is explored in depth in the March 2026 edition of InfoSAWIT’s FOCUS section, presenting data, expert insights, and multiple perspectives to provide a more balanced understanding. (T2)