31 December 2025
Threesna Sharfina
.webp)
HUMAS FAHUTAN — The climate crisis is no longer merely a scientific projection but is already being felt and has had a direct impact on the increasing incidence of flooding disasters in Sumatra. This was conveyed by a lecturer from the Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), Achmad Siddik Thoha, who stated that forest degradation due to land-use conversion is one of the main factors exacerbating the impacts of extreme weather.
According to Achmad, massive deforestation—particularly for plantation and mining purposes—has weakened the ecological function of forests as life-supporting systems. In fact, forests play a crucial role in regulating water systems and mitigating the impacts of high rainfall, which has become increasingly frequent as a result of climate change.
He emphasized that forests are not only living spaces for humans and biodiversity, but also natural barriers in preventing hydrometeorological disasters. As forest cover continues to decline, the environment’s ability to respond to extreme rainfall also decreases, thereby increasing the risk of flash floods and landslides in various regions.
In addition to environmental factors, Achmad also highlighted the importance of strengthening spatial planning policies based on environmental carrying capacity. He noted that many flood-affected areas are located in zones that should not be designated for settlements, such as riverbanks and protected areas, yet they continue to develop without adequate control.
In the context of disaster management, Achmad emphasized the strategic role of higher education institutions through teaching, research, and community service. He stated that the Faculty of Forestry at USU continues to encourage the development of studies on climate change, disaster mitigation, and the enhancement of human resource capacity to contribute effectively during the pre-disaster phase, emergency response, and post-disaster recovery.
These views were expressed by Achmad Siddik Thoha in an interview with Tempo.co-published on 14 December 2025, which discussed in depth the state of the climate crisis, the pace of deforestation, and its impact on flooding disasters in several regions of Sumatra.
Source: Compiled from an interview with Tempo.co, 14 December 2025.
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