BIREUEN — Nearly two weeks after devastating flash floods struck Bireuen in late November 2025, signs of exhaustion still linger at the evacuation post in Alue Kuta Village and its meunasah (community prayer hall). On Friday (December 5, 2025), the temporary shelter stood as a silent witness to countless stories of loss, shock, and survival.
Residents continue to move back and forth between the evacuation post and what remains of their homes, trying to measure what can still be salvaged—and what has been lost forever.
The Dawn That Changed Everything
The flash flood arrived without warning. Overnight torrential rain caused rivers to overflow, carrying thick mud and massive logs that swept away everything in their path. In Alue Kuta, water levels rose rapidly to chest height. At dawn, panic spread as residents rushed toward the meunasah—the only elevated refuge they could reach within minutes.
The first three days after the disaster were the most critical. Pregnant women, stroke survivors, and elderly residents were forced to remain inside the meunasah without proper medical care before they could finally be evacuated to hospitals.
“We have 235 households and 875 residents. There was one fatality—a baby. Forty houses were completely destroyed, swept away by the flood. Nearly all remaining homes were buried in mud,” said Habibullah, the village head (Keuchik) of Alue Kuta.
In a corner of the meunasah, Helmidah, an Alue Kuta resident, recalled the terrifying moments that nearly took everything from her.
“That morning, the water came fast. At first, we just watched, thinking it wouldn’t be that bad. But it kept rising. We couldn’t move our belongings anymore. Within an hour, even the bridge collapsed,” she said quietly.
She paused, taking a deep breath.
“Everyone ran. Some didn’t even have time to put on clothes. People were crying, panicking—everything happened at once. Nothing could be saved. Houses were filled with trash, huge logs, and coconut tree trunks. Just thinking about cleaning it makes your head hurt,” she added.
After the water receded, the mosque—once a place of refuge—was left buried under thick mud. Many residents returned to sleeping inside the meunasah, wearing clothes still damp from the previous night’s rain.
“If we slept at home, we’d get wet again. The water could come back anytime. At that moment, there was only one priority: saving our lives,” Helmidah said softly.
Another resident, Lina, simply shook her head when asked what remained of her home. “My house is gone. I came here by boat. Everything is gone,” she whispered. Fatimah shared a similar story, recounting how she braved the strong current in a small boat to reach safety.
The Will to Rise and Recover
Today, daily life in Alue Kuta is filled with the exhausting routine of trying to clean homes that are nearly impossible to restore. Many residents return to the evacuation post with heavy steps after facing piles of mud, debris, and fallen timber too overwhelming to handle alone.
Yet amid the devastation, one thing remains alive: the courage and determination to rise again. The flood may have taken most of what they owned, but it did not erase their will to continue living—even as the land beneath their feet has yet to fully recover.
Prayers continue uninterrupted. Despite the damage, residents clean the mosque and perform congregational prayers together. Mutual support has become a daily rhythm—sharing tasks, roles, and responsibilities to rebuild life collectively, including managing incoming aid.
One such support came from DT Peduli donors, offering hope to the people of Alue Kuta that they are not alone.
“May you recover soon—truly recover. Hopefully, this assistance will be beneficial for the mothers, children, and everyone here, so you can stay healthy and resume daily activities and livelihoods, God willing,” said Iwan Firmansyah, Deputy Director of Programs at DT Peduli.
Habibullah welcomed the assistance with gratitude. He hopes that every form of support strengthens his community’s resolve to rise together stronger than before.
Editor: Agus ID