Landslide Victims Now Occupying Temporary Shelters in North Tapanuli

North Tapanuli, North Sumatra (ANTARA) — A number of landslide victims in North Tapanuli, North Sumatra, have begun occupying temporary shelters built by the government.

The 40 shelter units are now being inhabited by victims of the landslide from two villages — Sibalanga Village and Pagaran Lambung I Village in Adian Koting subdistrict.

A resident from Sibalanga Village, Nurhaidah Aritonang, said on Monday that she had been living in the temporary shelter built by the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) since Monday, 16 February.

“This housing is much better. We no longer feel anxious,” said Nurhaidah.

She explained that her previous home had been affected by the landslide and was no longer habitable, as the area had been designated a red zone by the government.

“We had been staying in a house of worship for more than a month after the disaster struck,” she said.

Meanwhile, another resident, Mesra, said that although the temporary shelters were not yet fully completed — particularly road facilities and drainage works — they already provided a safer and more suitable place to live.

“Now we no longer feel anxious when it rains,” she said.

Previously, North Tapanuli Regent Jonius Taripar Parsaoran Hutabarat said the temporary shelters would house disaster survivors for up to five months, after which the shelters are projected to become permanent housing.

“There is a possibility that this housing will become permanent, but we must wait for the land rights transfer process and discuss it with the central government,” said Jonius on Thursday, 5 February.