Aceh Starlink installation restores communication access for communities isolated by severe floods and landslides.
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| An aerial view shows widespread flood damage in Meureudu, Pidie Jaya district, in Indonesia’s Aceh province on November 30, 2025. Photo by Chaideer Mahyuddin/AFP/Getty Images |
The Aceh Starlink installation became a crucial lifeline for residents who had been isolated for days after severe floods and landslides swept across multiple regions in the province. The installation of Starlink devices by the Aceh Regional Police allowed communities to regain communication access after nearly a week of being disconnected. Aceh Starlink installation serves as the central issue in the emergency response, as authorities continue working to restore essential services and expand access to affected villages.
For many residents, the sudden return of internet connectivity marked a deeply emotional moment. Families who had been unable to contact their relatives since the disaster first struck were finally able to confirm their safety. Local communities described the reconnection as a moment of relief after days of fear and uncertainty. The Aceh Regional Police emphasized that the technical teams were deployed immediately to ensure the Aceh Starlink installation functioned effectively in the most severely impacted areas.
According to Commissioner Joko Krisdiyanto, Head of Public Relations of the Aceh Regional Police, the ICT Division was sent directly into the disaster zone to restore emergency communication access as quickly as possible. He noted that the installation of Starlink devices was carried out to address the urgent need for operational communication, especially in regions where conventional telecommunication networks had completely collapsed due to the floods and landslides. In his statement on Sunday, November 30, 2025, Joko stressed the importance of the Aceh Starlink installation in enabling both residents and responders to regain access to critical information.
Two Starlink units have been installed so far. One unit is operating in Tingkeum Village in the Kuta Blang District of Bireuen Regency. The equipment was set up by ICT personnel from the Aceh Regional Police, and the connection became active shortly after installation. Residents immediately gathered to make calls, send messages, and reconnect with family members who had been unreachable for several days. Many people described the experience as the first sign of hope after enduring the disaster without reliable communication.
Commissioner Joko explained that local residents had been unable to use their phones for four days due to signal disruptions caused by the disaster. With the Aceh Starlink installation now functioning, people were finally able to confirm the safety and condition of their loved ones. He said the restoration of connectivity was an essential part of the emergency response, enabling better coordination, faster information flow, and emotional support for those displaced or awaiting evacuation.
In addition to the unit installed in Bireuen, another Starlink device was activated at the Jagong Jeget Police Sector, which currently operates under the Aceh Tengah Police Resort. This installation also provides alternating access for residents who need to communicate with their families. Joko emphasized that the WiFi service would remain active until conventional communication networks are fully restored in the affected districts. Authorities expect that more Starlink units may be deployed if the situation worsens or if additional zones remain unreachable.
The scale of the disaster in Aceh continues to grow as new information emerges. According to data released by the Emergency Response Command Post for Hydro-Meteorological Disasters, the death toll increased to 96 people as of Sunday at 16:14 WIB. The figures were updated following an evaluation meeting at the Aceh Governor’s Office in Banda Aceh. The increase in reported casualties is partly due to improved communication flows made possible by efforts such as the Aceh Starlink installation, which expanded the channels through which local officials could receive reports from remote areas.
M. Nasir, Head of the Emergency Response Command Post, explained that the improved information access helped authorities refine casualty data more accurately. He acknowledged that the numbers could still change as communication networks continue to stabilize. Nasir expressed hope that the death toll would not rise further, but noted that the conditions on the ground remained challenging due to widespread flooding, landslide debris, and disrupted transportation routes.
In his statement, Nasir reported that 1,284 individuals suffered light injuries, while 330 were categorized as seriously injured. Additionally, 113 people remain missing. These figures reflect the severity of the hydro-meteorological disaster that struck 18 regencies and cities in Aceh. The scale of destruction required a significant mobilization of resources, including rescue teams, medical personnel, and logistical support units. Authorities stated that more than 89,000 households were affected, with approximately 62,000 displaced from their homes due to flooding and landslides.
The displaced population is now spread across 514 evacuation sites. Government agencies, assisted by regional police, local volunteers, and national institutions, have been distributing essential supplies such as food, water, medical aid, and temporary shelter materials. The restoration of communication through the Aceh Starlink installation has played a critical role in coordinating these efforts, allowing officials to identify isolated villages, assess needs more accurately, and ensure that assistance reaches the most vulnerable households.
Residents in several districts described the conditions at evacuation centers as crowded and challenging, yet they expressed appreciation for the efforts of responders who worked through difficult terrain and unpredictable weather. For many, the ability to contact relatives outside the affected areas has provided psychological comfort. This communication restored by the Aceh Starlink installation has helped reduce panic, prevented misinformation, and supported emotional resilience among the displaced communities.
The provincial government stated that it continues to coordinate with central agencies to accelerate logistics distribution. Nasir emphasized that improving access to isolated areas remained a top priority. In some locations, the destruction of bridges, submerged roads, and unstable ground conditions hindered the movement of heavy vehicles. Emergency responders have been using smaller vehicles, motorbikes, and even boats to reach communities still cut off by floodwaters.
As efforts to stabilize the situation progress, the Aceh Starlink installation remains a cornerstone of the emergency communication system. Authorities acknowledge that maintaining continuous internet access will be vital for ongoing search and rescue operations, medical coordination, and the dissemination of official updates to the public. The system is expected to remain operational as long as needed, particularly in areas where repairs to conventional communication towers may take weeks due to extensive damage.
The experience of residents over the past several days demonstrates the importance of rapid communication restoration during natural disasters. The deployment of Starlink devices provided an immediate solution in a situation where traditional infrastructure failed. The Aceh Starlink installation has therefore become more than a technical deployment; it represents a lifeline for families and a critical tool for managing one of the most severe hydro-meteorological events to hit the region in recent years.
