Residents utilise flood debris wood to construct temporary shelters
South Tapanuli, North Sumatra (ANTARA) – Residents in Garoga Village, South Tapanuli Regency, are utilising leftover logs from a recent flash flood to construct independent temporary shelters (huntara).
“We are building this huntara using logs left behind by the flood. These logs can indeed be utilised as the foundation for the house,” said Indra Batubara, a resident of Garoga Village, to ANTARA on Tuesday.
By reusing the wood carried by floodwaters, residents are taking initiative to reduce the considerable wood debris still scattered throughout the area. The independent temporary shelter measures 35 square metres and is scheduled to be completed before Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijri. The structure includes a living room and one bedroom.
According to Batubara, the front courtyard will be converted into a coffee stall to support his family’s economy in the post-flood period. “We started construction on 10 March and plan to finish before Eid. We will also use the front to open a coffee stall,” he said.
To construct one huntara, Batubara requires approximately 14 logs, which are cut into sections according to building specifications. Although Batubara had previously received a government-provided temporary shelter located nearby, he opted to construct his own version.
Other residents inhabiting temporary shelters in South Tapanuli expressed satisfaction with their living conditions. Derma Siregar, who occupies one of the shelters, uses it for commercial purposes. “The living conditions are quite comfortable because all facilities are available – bathrooms and open space are already there,” said Siregar.
Nearby, Lina Hutabarat sells vegetables from her shelter. She recently moved in a week ago and began her vegetable sales only today. “We only just moved here and started selling vegetables today, so not many people know about us yet,” she said.
Both residents expressed gratitude to the government for providing shelter whilst they repair their previous homes. To date, 245 families are inhabiting temporary shelters in Napa Village, Batangtoru District, South Tapanuli.