Task Force PRR Continues to Accelerate Mud Cleaning and Rice Paddy Rehabilitation in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra

The Task Force for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (PRR) following the Sumatra disaster continues to speed up mud cleaning and rehabilitation of damaged rice paddies resulting from floods and landslides in the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra (Sumut), and West Sumatra (Sumbar). Mud cleaning is being carried out to restore community activities and ensure that public facilities previously affected by floods and landslides can return to normal operation. Meanwhile, rice paddy rehabilitation aims to maintain rice supplies and accelerate the recovery of farmers’ lives. According to the PRR Task Force report as of 28 March 2026, progress in mud cleaning across the three affected provinces is proceeding significantly. In Sumut, out of a total of 24 targeted locations for cleaning, 20 locations have been cleared, with the remainder still in process. In Sumbar, the mud cleaning process has been fully completed, with all 29 affected locations cleaned at 100 per cent. This mud cleaning achievement also aligns with the progress of rehabilitated rice paddy land. In Aceh, 42 hectares out of 31,464 hectares of rice paddies have been rehabilitated. On the other hand, Sumut has rehabilitated 170 hectares out of 7,336 hectares of rice paddies, while Sumbar has rehabilitated 779 hectares out of 3,902 hectares of rice paddies. Previously, the Chairman of the PRR Task Force following the Sumatra disaster, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, stated that mud cleaning is the government’s primary focus to accelerate recovery in several affected areas. This statement was delivered by Tito during a press conference at the Presidential Staff Office (KSP), Jakarta, on Wednesday (25/3/2026). In addition, Tito mentioned that his team is working to normalise rivers filled with mud sedimentation in the three affected provinces. He emphasised that river normalisation is crucial to prevent subsequent floods while supporting irrigation for farmers’ rice paddies and ponds.