Residents of Tetinggi Village, Gayo Lues appreciate restored electricity network
Residents of Tetinggi Village, Subdistrict of Pantan Cuaca, Gayo Lues District, Aceh, who were all survivors of the flash flood, have expressed appreciation for the swift efforts of joint emergency teams in restoring the electrical network in their area.
One resident of Tetinggi Village, Maryani (35), explained that the darkness and lack of electricity became their constant “companion” after the disaster, severely limiting all activities. However, within just a few days, electricity had been restored and has remained operational since.
“I’m grateful the power came back within the first few days. It’s a relief – without electricity, how could the children study and how could we worship during Ramadan, especially with Eid approaching?” said Maryani when met at her home on Monday evening.
Village head Mahmud added that PLN utility crews restored the electrical network alongside efforts to reopen road access, which had been completely cut off due to the disaster’s impact.
Restoration work on the electrical network began approximately two weeks after the disaster, involving various parties in a joint team including the military (TNI), police (Polri), disaster management authorities (BPBD), volunteers, and others.
“Several residents also received replacement electricity meters from PLN technicians after their original installations were damaged by the flash flood,” he said.
Furthermore, he noted that crews also erected several new electrical poles to replace old poles that had been toppled by the torrential floodwaters from nearly four months ago.
According to village government data, Tetinggi Village was home to 133 households comprising a total of 418 people, all affected by the flash flood resulting from overflow of the Tripe River, which divides two villages in the highland area of Gayo Lues.
Of this number, 33 houses were swept away by the current, whilst 42 others suffered severe damage and are no longer habitable.
“Overall, there was extensive destruction. Only 24 houses remain standing here. Now it looks busy because residents are rebuilding some homes, and all of them now have electricity,” he said.
Despite the restoration of electrical services, residents remain hopeful that no secondary disasters will occur, given that rainfall in the area remains quite high.
“We hope there are no more floods or landslides, as that is what concerns us. It still rains frequently and there are still many vulnerable points,” said Mahmud.
Interior Minister Tito Karnavian previously stated that the government continues to carry out recovery efforts in several areas affected by flash floods and landslides in Aceh. He cited recovery efforts concentrated in areas including Aceh Tamiang, East Aceh, North Aceh, Pidie Jaya, and Bireuen, as well as mountainous regions such as Bener Meriah, Gayo Lues, and Central Aceh, which continue to experience damage to road and bridge infrastructure.
As Chair of the Task Force for Accelerated Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Following the Disaster in Sumatra, Tito stated that electricity supply, which had recovered to approximately 50 per cent earlier, has now returned to nearly normal levels.
“Recovery indicators include very fundamental necessities – electricity, then fuel, both petroleum and gas, LPG, and then communications and internet facilities,” he said.