PU Minister Reveals Latest Condition of Infrastructure in Sumatra Disaster Areas
The government is racing against time to restore infrastructure damaged by disasters in the Sumatra region. While the rehabilitation process for national roads and bridges in North Sumatra is ongoing, extreme weather has once again caused damage to temporary housing (huntara) for residents affected by disasters in North Aceh.
The Ministry of Public Works (PU) has recorded at least 274 points of damage to the national road and bridge network in North Sumatra due to disasters occurring since late 2025. Of this number, 99 locations are targeted for completion this year, while the remainder will be addressed gradually until 2028.
“Road and bridge access is the primary key to logistics movement, emergency services, and community economic recovery. Therefore, from the beginning, we have worked without pause to ensure that regional isolation can be addressed as quickly as possible. Public safety and smooth mobility are our priorities,” said Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo in a statement, quoted on Wednesday (10/6/2026).
Handling is being carried out on five main corridors of national roads with a total length of approximately 500 kilometres. After emergency response work was completed in early 2026, the government has now entered the stage of permanent rehabilitation and reconstruction.
To date, the overall progress of the handling has only reached approximately 18.31%, equivalent to 45 locations that have received permanent treatment. Construction is still ongoing at several strategic sections such as Tarutung-Sipirok-Padang Sidempuan, Tarutung-Sibolga, Batangtoru-Singkuang, and the Sibolga-Batangtoru-Padang Sidempuan route.
Amidst these recovery efforts, extreme weather has become a renewed challenge. Strong winds hitting the Langkahan District, North Aceh Regency, damaged dozens of temporary housing units currently occupied by disaster-affected residents.
Based on local government data, damage occurred to 36 units of Rumoh Rayeuk temporary housing, five units in Langkahan Village, seven units in Bukit Linteung, and 10 units in Geudumbak.
“The government is moving quickly to ensure that affected communities receive the necessary assistance. We have coordinated directly with the Minister of Public Works, and the repair of the damaged temporary housing is targeted to be completed within seven days,” said Safrizal ZA, Head of the Aceh Regional Post for the Sumatra Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Acceleration Task Force.