Sumatra Recovery Progress Outlined as Task Force Chief Calls for Faster River Normalisation to Prevent Further Flooding

Home Affairs Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian, who chairs the Task Force for the Acceleration of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (PRR) following the Sumatra disasters, has stressed the need to speed up work on rivers affected by sedimentation to prevent further flooding.

Meanwhile, the restoration of infrastructure and essential services in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra continues to make progress.

Tito made the remarks while opening a coordination meeting on accelerating post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction in Sumatra at the national PRR Task Force headquarters at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Jakarta on Monday, 26 October 2026.

He said the floods and landslides that struck the three provinces in November 2025 had significantly affected people’s lives. According to PRR Task Force data as of 26 October 2026, the disasters affected 53 regencies and cities, 498 sub-districts and 4,533 villages and urban wards.

Nevertheless, those displaced—previously more than two million people—have now returned to their homes or other accommodation, and no one remains in tent camps.

The government is carrying out rehabilitation and reconstruction in stages over three years, from 2026 to 2028, in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s direction. The work involves 33 ministries and agencies, and a master plan comprising 11,520 activities.

On infrastructure, Tito said affected roads and bridges were generally functioning again. Repairs have been carried out jointly by the Ministry of Public Works, the Indonesian Military (TNI), the National Police and other parties.

Some regional bridges still require further work, particularly as some infrastructure has been hit again by subsequent disasters.

“On average, the bridges and roads are all functioning, apart from a few regional bridges … and everyone is working on them together, including Public Works, the TNI and the National Police,” he said.

The restoration of essential public services is also under way. Tito said government activities in Aceh Tamiang, which had previously been disrupted by mud deposits, have resumed.

Mobile communications have also been restored, while most health services are operating again. However, six auxiliary community health centres in North Sumatra still require further attention.

Despite the progress, Tito warned that continued heavy rainfall in northern and western Sumatra remains a challenge to accelerating recovery.