Disaster Recovery Task Force Prioritises Normalisation of Rivers Affected by Calamity

The Task Force for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (Satgas PRR) post-Sumatra disaster has designated the handling of river infrastructure in three affected provinces as one of the long-term priorities in the recovery phase. Efforts to normalise rivers are deemed essential to support the sustainability of irrigation for rice fields and fish ponds that communities rely on in the agriculture and fisheries sectors. Task Force Chairman Muhammad Tito Karnavian stated that most rivers in the areas affected by hydrometeorological disasters in Aceh, West Sumatra, and North Sumatra have experienced shallowing due to sedimentation. “Rivers are important to me; this will take a long time because there are many of them. In total, many are sedimented, long and wide. This handling is urgent because it directly relates to the rice fields and fish ponds owned by residents,” Tito said in Jakarta on Monday (23/3). Data from Satgas PRR indicates that in the affected areas, there are dozens of rivers in varying conditions, from heavy sedimentation and embankment damage to changes in river courses. In Aceh Province, 55 affected rivers requiring phased handling have been recorded. The distribution of river damage in Aceh covers North Aceh, Pidie, Pidie Jaya, Bireuen, Central Aceh, Bener Meriah, Langsa, East Aceh, Aceh Tamiang, South Aceh, West Aceh, Nagan Raya, Southeast Aceh, and Subulussalam. In North Sumatra Province, there are 48 affected rivers covering Central Tapanuli, South Tapanuli, North Tapanuli, Humbang Hasundutan, Sibolga, Medan, Deli Serdang, Langkat, Serdang Bedagai, Mandailing Natal, and Batu Bara. Meanwhile, in West Sumatra, 43 affected rivers have been recorded, covering Padang, Padang Pariaman, Pasaman, West Pasaman, Solok, Tanah Datar, Agam, and South Pesisir. Tito explained that river handling is carried out through two main approaches: emergency response to anticipate further impacts, and rehabilitation and reconstruction to ensure permanent repairs. According to him, the geographical conditions of the affected areas, which are dispersed, also pose their own challenges in river recovery, unlike disasters concentrated in one location. “If we go to areas near rivers, they are affected. So this is dispersed, sporadic in nature. That’s what makes the handling take time,” Tito said. Nevertheless, Satgas PRR ensures that river handling efforts continue in parallel with recovery in other sectors. To date, most national roads have returned to 100 percent functionality, and logistics distribution is no longer hindered, thus supporting the acceleration of river repairs in various areas. In addition, the government also ensures that river handling is integrated with recovery in other sectors such as agriculture, fish ponds, and community housing along river basins. Tito emphasised that post-disaster recovery is not only measured by the reduction in the number of displaced persons but also by the ability of the area to return to being safe and productive, including in terms of river control. “The variables we look at are not just displaced persons, but also rivers, rice fields, fish ponds, and other infrastructure. All of that is part of the recovery,” he concluded.