Government accelerates provision of electricity to disaster victims in Nagan Raya

Beutong Ateuh Banggalang, Nagan Raya Regency, Aceh Province — The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Nagan Raya, together with BNPB and related parties, is continuing to build an electricity network for residents affected by the natural disaster flood. ‘We ask the public to be patient; the government is actively working to build an electricity network to the disaster area, including to the locations of temporary housing,’ said Irfanda Rinaldi, Head of the Badan Penanggulangan Bencana Daerah (BPBD) of Nagan Raya, Aceh, to ANTARA on Saturday. He explained that currently 379 households in Beutong Ateuh Banggalang are still living in tents while waiting for the construction of huntara shelters, which are being carried out by BNPB through respective vendors. Irfanda acknowledged that some evacuees in the area are currently relying on rudimentary lighting at night, because the government is still working to repair the electricity grid, including supplying electricity to the huntara locations that are currently under construction. This is as a demonstration to disaster survivors that to date the central government together with local government still stand amongst the community in meeting basic needs at the evacuation site. Irfanda added that after the temporary housing is completed, all the displaced people will soon occupy the huntara provided by the government. ‘Once again we urge the people to be patient; the government continues to provide electricity services and other basic needs to the greatest extent possible,’ he said. Previously, residents affected by the flood in Beutong Ateuh Banggalang, Nagan Raya, Aceh Province have not yet enjoyed electricity since the area was hit by floods in late November 2025. ‘Not only after the flood, entering into the 17th day of Ramadan, we and the community eat sahur and break fast in the dark. Only rudimentary lighting is available,’ said Samsuardi, a Beutong Ateuh Banggalang resident, to ANTARA on Friday (6/3) night. Samsuardi said lighting is a very important facility during Ramadan, especially when breaking fast and during sahur. He admitted that it has already been almost four months since the flood disaster hit Beutong Ateuh Nagan Raya, but many residents still live in tents without electricity. Therefore, he hopes the central and regional governments will promptly resolve this issue, so that flood victims are not continuously shrouded in darkness without electricity, including during Ramadan.