Residents in Agam Use Eid as Momentum to Rise from Post-Disaster
Agam (ANTARA) - Residents affected by the disaster in Jorong Labuah, Nagari Sungai Batang, Tanjung Raya Subdistrict, Agam Regency, West Sumatra, are using Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah as a momentum for recovery from the disaster that occurred at the end of November 2025.
The Head of Jorong Labuah, Elbama, met after the Eid al-Fitr prayer on Friday, stated that efforts to boost residents’ morale include accelerating the preparation of land to be used as a prayer location.
He explained that this step was taken because the mosque previously used for Eid al-Fitr prayers had been destroyed and buried under flood debris. Heavy equipment was deployed to move landslide material from the mosque area on the riverbank to a plot of land about 200 metres away.
“Our target is to hold Eid prayers in the field to unite the people of Jorong Labuah, who have been scattered. So now we are trying to bring them together here so there is no feeling of loneliness, to heal the wounds from the disaster,” said Elbama.
He mentioned that the population of Jorong Labuah reaches 1,100 souls spread across 310 households. The flood and landslide disaster caused 78 houses to suffer severe damage and 11 units minor damage. In addition, public facilities such as the mosque and school were also destroyed and cannot be used.
Optimism for post-disaster recovery during Eid was also expressed by Nur Aini. She admitted that sorrow still envelops her feelings, but hopes that the start of this Eid can become the initial point for reviving the residents’ spirits in arranging better days.
“Hopefully at the start of this Eid, we revive our spirits, so we don’t think about the chaos. With this Eid, hopefully Allah gives us guidance and mercy. Hopefully, we the residents of Jorong Labuah in this condition, Allah gives us trials so that we rise and succeed,” she said.
Something similar was expressed by Jusniar, who stated that this year’s Eid celebration feels different compared to previous years. She still clearly remembers the galodo flood that devastated her home. However, she hopes that this Eid al-Fitr can revive the fighting spirit and economic recovery.
“Everything is now in ruins, all destroyed, we are scattered. But we try to be happier in facing this situation, this trial,” she said.
The people of Jorong Labuah, who are Muhammadiyah residents, performed Eid al-Fitr prayers on Friday. The Eid prayer was held in an open field adjacent to large boulders carried by the flood and heavy equipment. The field is planned to become the site for building a new mosque.
According to data from the West Sumatra One Data Disaster Dashboard, 272 building units in Nagari Sungai Batang suffered damage ranging from minor to moderate to severe. The total losses are estimated to reach Rp98.7 billion.