Disaster survivors in Gayo Lues choose to rebuild homes for Eid celebration

Gayo Lues – A number of survivors of the flash flood in Tetingi Village, Pantan Cuaca Subdistrict, Gayo Lues Regency, Aceh, have chosen to rebuild their homes from salvaged materials destroyed by the disaster so they can gather with family members ahead of Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriyah/2026.

Village head Mahmud (41) of Tetingi Village said that residents are now constructing makeshift dwellings using materials salvaged from debris, such as corrugated iron and wooden planks that had been swept away.

“Previously, residents stayed in temporary evacuation shelters, but most have now chosen to return to their old home sites and rebuild, because the temporary housing prepared by the government cannot yet be occupied optimally,” he said.

He acknowledged that the temporary housing units prepared by the government through the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) are available, but are hampered by lack of supporting facilities such as clean water supply and electricity networks.

“Water pump machinery is already there, and wells have been dug, but the water tanks still cannot be filled. The same applies to electricity. According to PLN officers, the stock of electricity metre machines has run out, so not all temporary housing units can be equipped, which is why some residents choose to stay in homes built with whatever materials they have,” said the village head, locally known as the Keuchik.

According to village government data, Tetingi Village is home to 133 households with a total population of 418 people, all of whom have been affected by the floods and landslides that hit the area on 26 November 2025.

Of this number, 33 homes have been completely destroyed, whilst a further 42 homes are severely damaged and no longer habitable and must be demolished, according to Mahmud.

Residents of Tetingi Village live in homes built in a line following the course of the river, and most were damaged or swept away entirely by the powerful flash flood currents nearly four months ago.

“Because Eid is approaching, many residents have settled again here. Even though their homes are makeshift, the important thing is they can gather with family,” he said, adding that village conditions are gradually improving with various assistance coming from the government and society, as well as volunteer teams from various regions.