The Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Task Force\n(Satgas PRR) for Sumatra has emphasised that addressing river\ninfrastructure in the three affected provinces is one of the long-term\npriorities in the recovery phase. This step is also expected to support\nirrigation for local rice fields and fish ponds.<\/p>\n
Satgas PRR Chair, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, stated that river\nnormalisation is crucial to support the livelihoods of communities\nreliant on primary economic sectors such as agriculture and fisheries.\nBased on Satgas PRR data, the rivers affected by hydrometeorological\ndisasters in Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra are mostly\nexperiencing shallowing due to sedimentation.<\/p>\n
\u201cRivers are important to me; this will take a long time for the\nrivers because there are many of them. In total, many are sedimented,\nlong and wide. This handling is urgent because it directly relates to\nthe rice fields and fish ponds owned by the public,\u201d said Tito in a\nwritten statement on Wednesday (25\/3\/2026).<\/p>\n
Satgas PRR data indicates that in the affected areas, there are\ndozens of rivers with varying conditions, ranging from heavy\nsedimentation, embankment damage, to changes in river courses. In Aceh\nProvince, 55 affected rivers have been recorded that require phased\nhandling. The distribution of river damage in Aceh covers the regions of\nNorth Aceh, Pidie, Pidie Jaya, Bireuen, Central Aceh, Bener Meriah,\nLangsa, East Aceh, Aceh Tamiang, South Aceh, West Aceh, Nagan Raya,\nSoutheast Aceh, and Subulussalam.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, in North Sumatra Province, there are 48 affected rivers\ncovering the areas of Central Tapanuli, South Tapanuli, North Tapanuli,\nHumbang Hasundutan, Sibolga, Medan, Deli Serdang, Langkat, Serdang\nBedagai, Mandailing Natal, and Batu Bara. In West Sumatra, 43 affected\nrivers have been recorded, covering Padang, Padang Pariaman, Pasaman,\nWest Pasaman, Solok, Tanah Datar, Agam, and South Pesisir.<\/p>\n
Tito also explained that river handling is carried out through two\nmain approaches: emergency response to anticipate further impacts, and\nrehabilitation and reconstruction to ensure permanent repairs. According\nto him, the geographical conditions of the affected areas, which are\nscattered, pose their own challenges in river recovery.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we enter areas near the rivers, they are affected. So this is\nscattered, sporadic in nature. That\u2019s what makes the handling require\ntime,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Satgas PRR ensures that river handling efforts continue\nin parallel with the recovery of other sectors. To date, most national\nroads have returned to 100 percent functionality, and logistics\ndistribution is no longer hindered, thereby supporting the acceleration\nof river repairs in various areas.<\/p>\n
In addition, the government also ensures that river handling is\nintegrated with the recovery of other sectors such as agriculture, fish\nponds, and community housing along the river basins. Tito emphasised\nthat post-disaster recovery is not only measured by the reduction in the\nnumber of evacuees but also by the region\u2019s ability to return to being\nsafe and productive.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe variables we look at are not just evacuees, but also rivers,\nrice fields, fish ponds, and other infrastructure. All of that is part\nof the recovery,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/prr-task-force-prioritises-river-normalisation-in-sumatra-disaster-affected-areas-1774446680", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }