BNPB intensifies clearing of Aceh farmland from timber and mud

Jakarta (ANTARA) — The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) is intensifying the clearing of farmland affected by flash floods in Kampung Toweren, Lut Tawar, Central Aceh, so that residents can resume farming when the planting season begins in mid-February to April 2026.

Head of BNPB’s Data, Information and Disaster Communication Centre, Abdul Muhari, said in a statement in Jakarta on Monday that Kampung Toweren is geographically situated in the Gayo highland hills area, which is vulnerable to extreme weather.

Prolonged heavy rainfall caused slopes to be unable to withstand water flow, triggering flash floods from upstream areas — conditions consistent with the extreme rain from Cyclone Senyar that struck much of Aceh, including Central Aceh Regency.

“As a result, farmland that serves as the community’s primary source of livelihood was covered in thick mud sediment and timber debris, forcing farming activities to halt as the rice paddies could not be cultivated,” he said.

“This situation forced farmers to cease all activity, as their expanses of rice fields now resemble scattered ‘timber forests’,” he added.

BNPB, together with the village government and related agencies, has intensified clearing efforts since Sunday (22 February). A number of heavy vehicles have been deployed with priority given to removing timber logs from the rice field areas.

Abdul noted that during the process, timber material is being temporarily relocated by joint teams to vacant, more stable land belonging to residents in order to open up access to the fields.

BNPB confirmed that communities in Lut Tawar are also making use of timber carried by the floodwaters as building material to repair damaged homes and as firewood, meaning disaster debris is providing practical value in the recovery process.

Nevertheless, he acknowledged that the sheer volume of mud and timber covering the rice field areas poses a significant challenge. BNPB is coordinating with cross-ministerial bodies and agencies to increase heavy equipment support to accelerate sediment dredging and the removal of large timber.

BNPB expressed hope that synergy between the central government, regional authorities and the community can swiftly restore agricultural productivity in Kampung Toweren so that the local economy can return to normal.