60 Permanent Homes in Tanah Datar Completed, Post-Disaster Recovery Accelerated

The construction of permanent housing (huntap) is a primary focus of the Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Task Force in the permanent recovery phase. In Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra, 60 permanent housing units have been completed and are now occupied by residents. Meanwhile, the development of an integrated permanent housing area in Nagari Rambatan, which will add 79 units, is being accelerated and is targeted for completion within approximately two months.

For the survivors, the presence of these permanent homes represents more than just a physical structure; it symbolises the start of a new life after losing their homes to flash floods and hydrometeorological disasters. ‘This house is comfortable and the facilities are complete. We feel helped because after the disaster we finally have a safe place to live,’ said one survivor, Dedi Burzal.

Beyond housing, the recovery of supporting infrastructure is also being expedited. The government has allocated approximately Rp897 billion through the Ministry of Public Works for rehabilitation efforts in Tanah Datar. This budget is being used to repair roads, irrigation networks, water channels, and other basic infrastructure.

To restore economic activity, the government has also allocated around Rp52 billion for the rehabilitation of agricultural land. This includes land optimisation, rehabilitation of piped and non-piped irrigation networks, and the development of non-swamp land. Additionally, through the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and the Tanah Datar Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the government has allocated approximately Rp112 billion to build two bridges in the Singgalang and Tanjung Alam areas and to repair houses that suffered heavy, moderate, and light damage.

National road access in the Lembah Anai area is targeted to be fully functional by the end of July 2026 to facilitate smoother mobility and logistics distribution. As part of future disaster risk reduction, the construction of sabo dams is also being accelerated. Of the 10 planned units, two have been completed while the rest are still under construction. These structures are expected to reduce the potential for flash floods and debris flows during heavy rainfall.

Tanah Datar Regent Eka Putra stated that the local government continues to strengthen coordination with the central government to ensure all rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes meet the needs of the community. ‘The government continues to accelerate post-disaster recovery, from building permanent housing and repairing infrastructure to restoring the community’s economy and constructing disaster control infrastructure. All of this is done so that people can resume their activities safely and comfortably,’ he concluded.