Floods to Cost Indonesia $4 Billion After Cyclone, Analysis Shows

Catastrophic flooding following a tropical cyclone will cost Indonesia's economy an estimated $4 billion. The figure comes from a new analysis by the Center for Economics and Law Studies (CELIOS), a Jakarta-based think tank. The floods struck West Sumatra province in mid-March after Tropical Cyclone Hidaya. The disaster killed over 50 people and displaced nearly 200,000 residents. The $4 billion estimate represents 0.4% of Indonesia's total national economic output. CELIOS researchers calculated the cost by combining direct infrastructure damage with broader economic losses. These include disrupted agriculture, trade, and tourism. Government officials have stated that rebuilding critical infrastructure like roads and bridges is a priority. The analysis underscores the severe and lasting economic impact of extreme weather events on vulnerable regions.