Social Media’s Role During Sumatra Flash Floods Highlighted in New Academic Study
The flash floods that struck Sumatra at the end of 2025 not only triggered a humanitarian crisis but also revealed how social media became an emergency communication channel that moved faster than official government systems. This was highlighted in the academic article “Social Media and Flash Floods: A Review from the Perspective of Responsibility and Conscience” written by Chontina Siahaan, Donal Adrian, and Retnadumillah Saliha from Universitas Kristen Jakarta, Universitas Tadulako, and Universitas Muhammadiyah Palu. The study was published in 2026 in the International Journal of Sustainable Social Science. The research explores a highly relevant phenomenon in the digital era: when a major disaster occurs, communities no longer wait for official announcements to access information. In the case of flash floods across North Sumatra, Aceh, and West Sumatra, social media became the main space for residents to report conditions on the ground, coordinate aid, and evaluate the government’s response.
The flash floods that struck Sumatra at the end of 2025 not only triggered a humanitarian crisis but also revealed how social media became an emergency communication channel that moved faster than official government systems. This was highlighted in the academic article “Social Media and Flash Floods: A Review from the Perspective of Responsibility and Conscience” written by Chontina Siahaan, Donal Adrian, and Retnadumillah Saliha from Universitas Kristen Jakarta, Universitas Tadulako, and Universitas Muhammadiyah Palu. The study was published in 2026 in the International Journal of Sustainable Social Science. The research explores a highly relevant phenomenon in the digital era: when a major disaster occurs, communities no longer wait for official announcements to access information. In the case of flash floods across North Sumatra, Aceh, and West Sumatra, social media became the main space for residents to report conditions on the ground, coordinate aid, and evaluate the government’s response.
Background: Environmental Crisis and Communication Gaps
According to the authors, the floods and landslides that occurred from November to December 2025 were among the largest ecological and humanitarian disasters in Sumatra in recent decades. Thousands of people were affected, hundreds were reported dead or missing, and public infrastructure such as bridges, schools, places of worship, and health facilities suffered severe damage. Amid this emergency, posts shared by citizens on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X became the fastest source of information for the wider public. The study points out that the flash floods were not caused solely by extreme rainfall. The authors emphasize that land-use change, deforestation, and economic expansion in upstream areas likely worsened the disaster’s impact. Forests that previously absorbed large volumes of rainwater had been converted into plantations and extractive land uses, reducing natural water retention and increasing the risk of sudden flooding. However, the issue went beyond environmental factors. The researchers also identified a communication gap between official government narratives and the actual experiences of disaster victims. While authorities released administrative updates, residents on social media were sharing videos of submerged villages, collapsed roads, and testimonies from communities that had yet to receive assistance. This contrast intensified public criticism of the government’s slow response.
Research Method: Interviews and Field Observation
The research used a qualitative case study approach. Informants were selected purposively, focusing on individuals who closely understood disaster communication dynamics, including volunteers from non-governmental organizations and people actively monitoring disaster coverage on social media. Data were collected through:
-direct observation of social media information flows,
-in-depth interviews with volunteers,
-analysis of public narratives that emerged during the disaster period.
This approach was designed to understand how communities used digital platforms to build solidarity and pressure institutions during a crisis.
Key Findings: Social Media Became More Than an Information Tool
The study found that social media served three major functions during the Sumatra flash floods.
1. Rapid emergency coordination
Social media helped connect government agencies, volunteers, and citizens. Information about evacuation points, blocked roads, and urgent needs spread within seconds, enabling faster humanitarian response compared to formal bureaucratic procedures.
2. A source of valid citizen-generated information
Residents directly affected by the disaster acted as real-time field reporters. Photos, videos, and live streams provided immediate updates on flood developments, evacuation efforts, and aid distribution. The authors noted that this information often circulated before official statements were issued.
3. A driver of empathy and national solidarity
Social media also encouraged spontaneous public action. Donation campaigns spread through personal accounts, community pages, and civil society groups. Many users shared bank account details for fundraising and coordinated deliveries of food, clothing, and emergency supplies. The researchers describe this as a form of collective digital conscience.
Social and Policy Implications
The findings show that social media has evolved beyond a communication tool into a form of social oversight. Citizens can now pressure governments to act more quickly because delays are instantly visible and publicly discussed online. For policymakers, the study underlines the need to integrate social media into national disaster communication systems. Governments can no longer rely solely on press conferences or official websites; they must also monitor digital conversations and incorporate them into rapid response mechanisms. The article also highlights the role of corporate responsibility. The authors argue that companies involved in deforestation should be held accountable because ecological degradation linked to business activities can intensify natural disasters.
Authors’ Perspective
According to Chontina Siahaan and her colleagues, social media has become a moral public space during crises. It is not only a place for sharing information but also for expressing empathy, anger, and demands for accountability from both government institutions and private corporations. They argue that when official communication is slow, digital platforms strengthen social solidarity. In this context, technology is no longer merely a communication tool but part of a modern humanitarian system.
Author Profiles
-Chontina Siahaan — researcher at Universitas Kristen Jakarta, specializing in social communication and media studies.
-Donal Adrian — researcher at Universitas Tadulako, focusing on public communication and disaster studies.
-Retnadumillah Saliha — academic at Universitas Muhammadiyah Palu, specializing in community communication and social issues.
Research Source
Source article:
“Social Media and Flash Floods: A Review from the Perspective of Responsibility and Conscience”
Journal: International Journal of Sustainable Social Science, Vol. 4 No. 2 (2026)
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