Deputy Head of PRR Task Force Inspects Central Tapanuli, Pushes Acceleration of Sabo Dams and Bridge Construction
Water has not fully receded in Central Tapanuli. At several locations, secondary floods have resumed overflowing and severed community access after bridges collapsed from the current. The government, through the Post-Flood Sumatra Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Task Force (Satgas PRR), continues to accelerate response measures, ranging from strengthening flood control infrastructure to restoring access and housing for affected residents.
On Thursday, 26 February 2026, Richard Tampubolon, Deputy Head of Satgas PRR and Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces (Kasum TNI), led a field inspection visit to numerous impact sites in Central Tapanuli, North Sumatra.
Kasum Richard was accompanied by cross-ministerial and institutional officials, including representatives from the Central Bureau of Statistics Joko Parmianto, Director of Development and Culture Budget Fajar Hasri, Director of Forest Area Utilisation Doni Sri Putra, Director-General of Road Development at the Ministry of Public Works Roy Rizali, Director-General of Social Protection and Assurance at the Ministry of Social Affairs Agus Zainal Arifin, and members of the Satgas PRR.
The delegation departed from Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base using a TNI Air Force Boeing aircraft to Silangit Airport, then continued the journey by Caracal helicopter to Pinangsori.
From the team’s visits to several sites in Central Tapanuli, the main issues continue to centre on upstream river control, restoration of infrastructure access, and accelerated housing for affected residents.
In Hutanabolon Village, Tukka District, the team found that upstream river conditions remained unstable. High rainfall caused water discharge to increase again and triggered secondary flooding. Sedimentation and materials from upstream exacerbated the risk of overflow.
The Ministry of Public Works responded with plans to construct 30 sabo dams and six sand pockets in the Central Tapanuli region. This control infrastructure is being prepared to retain materials from upstream whilst reducing current pressure during heavy rain.
Beyond physical works, the Ministry of Public Works expected acceleration of support from Additional Budget Allocation (ABT). Budget support is deemed important to ensure mobilisation of heavy equipment and labour is not hindered during emergency response or rehabilitation and reconstruction phases. In response, the Finance Ministry will follow up the report with relevant director-generals. Meanwhile, the Central Tapanuli District Government stated it is ready to support by intensifying community outreach so residents agree to gradual relocation.
In Lubuk Ampolu Village, Badiri District, the team directly observed a bridge severed by current. This bridge is a vital access point for community activities. The Ministry of Public Works stated it would construct a sabo dam upstream and install gabion riverbank reinforcements to strengthen riverbank structures. To restore access promptly, the Bridge Task Force was also urged to prepare emergency bridge construction (belly bridge).
Meanwhile, the Central Tapanuli District Military Commander reported that a 300-metre road stretch in Sibio-bio Village was also cut off. This route is the village’s only access. The Ministry of Public Works responded with plans to deploy heavy equipment, construct gabions, and prepare bridge construction to restore community connectivity promptly.
The next inspection was to the Hajj Hostel Temporary Settlement in Pinangsori District. At this location, residents expressed hope that temporary housing waiting fund and living assistance of IDR 15,000 per day would be disbursed soon, especially ahead of Lebaran.
The National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB) stated that temporary housing waiting funds have been distributed and temporary settlement (huntara) construction is ongoing at several locations. The Ministry of Social Affairs stated that living assistance and housing support will be released after the regent’s decision letter is ratified and recipient data is declared complete.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Housing and Settlements is targeting completion of 118 permanent housing units (huntap) in Pinangsori before Lebaran.
The results of the Deputy Head of Satgas I’s visit with the team show that secondary flood impacts persist and infrastructure has not fully recovered. Rehabilitation acceleration in Central Tapanuli is now racing against time. Completion of sabo dams, emergency bridges, and permanent housing before Lebaran will test the effectiveness of cross-ministerial coordination in the field.