Disaster Task Force: 10 Post-Disaster Regencies in Sumatra Remain a Priority

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Sumatra Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Acceleration Task Force (PRR) is continuing to prioritise 10 regencies in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra where recovery remains incomplete. Meanwhile, further disasters have struck at least 13 regencies and municipalities, damaging some of the repair work already completed.

“Bridges that had been repaired were swept away again by the current. Areas that had been repaired and cleared of mud were covered in mud again,” Home Affairs Minister and head of the Sumatra PRR Task Force Muhammad Tito Karnavian said after a limited meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Monday.

In West Sumatra, 15 of the 16 affected regencies and municipalities have returned to normal. Tito said Padang Pariaman Regency remained a priority for recovery.

Of the 19 affected regencies and municipalities in North Sumatra, Central Tapanuli and North Tapanuli still require attention.

The largest number of priority areas is in Aceh: Bireuen, East Aceh, Central Aceh, North Aceh, Gayo Lues, Aceh Tamiang and Pidie Jaya regencies.

Further flooding has hit Solok Regency and Padang Municipality in West Sumatra; Central Tapanuli and South Tapanuli in North Sumatra; and Central Aceh, Gayo Lues, Southeast Aceh, South Aceh, West Aceh, Pidie Jaya, Aceh Tamiang and North Aceh regencies, as well as Subulussalam Municipality.

Tito, who visited Pidie Jaya a few days ago, said flooding could easily recur because river sediment had not yet been removed. “Even a little rain causes flooding because the sediment is still there,” he said.

President Prabowo Subianto has therefore ordered river normalisation to begin immediately. “That is his foremost instruction,” Tito said.

Of the 38 affected river mouths, work has been completed at seven, is under way at 11, and has yet to begin at 20.

In Aceh Tamiang, the Indonesian Military (TNI) has cleared an eight-kilometre stretch of river channel. The Public Works Ministry is also targeting the construction of 106 sabo dams to hold back sediment across the three provinces; so far, only six have been built.

River normalisation will involve local governments and third parties, using sand and stone extracted from rivers.

Tito said Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia would issue a letter delegating authority for such partnerships to regency and municipal governments, on condition that river normalisation remains the primary objective and the proceeds are recorded as locally generated revenue.

The President will also assign the TNI and the National Police to remove sediment and build embankments along both banks of rivers.

Areas hit again by disasters with widespread impacts may once more declare an emergency response status, allowing budget funds to be used more quickly.