PRR Task Force Accelerates Mud Cleanup and Paddy Field Rehabilitation

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Task Force for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (PRR) post-disaster in Sumatra is continuing to expedite the handling of mud cleanup and rehabilitation of damaged paddy fields resulting from floods and landslides in Aceh Province, North Sumatra (Sumut), and West Sumatra (Sumbar).

According to a statement from the PRR Task Force, this mud cleanup is being carried out to restore community activities and ensure that public facilities previously affected by floods and landslides can return to normal function. Meanwhile, paddy field rehabilitation is intended to maintain rice supplies and accelerate the recovery of farmers’ livelihoods.

Based on data from the Task Force as of 28 March 2026, significant progress has been recorded in mud cleanup across the three affected provinces. In detail, Aceh Province has achieved the highest number of locations. Out of a total of 476 targeted locations for cleanup, 396 locations have been successfully cleared, while the remaining 80 locations are still in process.

In North Sumatra, out of a total of 24 targeted locations for cleanup, 20 locations have been successfully cleared, while the rest are still in process. In West Sumatra, the mud cleanup process has been fully completed. All 29 affected locations have been thoroughly cleaned at 100 percent.

This mud cleanup achievement also aligns with the progress of rehabilitated paddy fields. Based on PRR Task Force data as of 28 March, out of a total of 42,702 hectares of paddy fields targeted for rehabilitation in the three affected provinces, 991 hectares have been successfully rehabilitated, while 5,333 hectares are still in the handling process.

In detail, in Aceh Province, out of 31,464 hectares of paddy fields targeted for rehabilitation, 42 hectares have been successfully rehabilitated. In North Sumatra, out of 7,336 hectares targeted for rehabilitation, 170 hectares have been successfully rehabilitated. In West Sumatra, out of 3,902 hectares targeted for rehabilitation, 779 hectares have been successfully rehabilitated.

“This mud is the main problem in lowland areas. We have recorded where the points are. We have the points, the number is approximately 445 in the three provinces. What has been completed in Sumatra overall is approximately 84 percent, with 16 percent remaining,” said Tito in a press conference at the KSP Office, Jakarta, on Wednesday (25/3).

In addition, Tito emphasised that his side is working to normalise rivers in the three affected provinces that are full of mud sedimentation. He stated that river normalisation is very important to prevent subsequent floods and support irrigation for people’s paddy fields and ponds.