Flood Disasters And Longsor Sumatra, Minister Dody: We Focus On Opening The Barus Route To Sibolga

The Ministry of Public Works (PU) targets that road access from Barus to Sibolga can be penetrated today due to floods and landslides in Sumatra in recent days.

PU Minister Dody Hanggodo said North Sumatra (North Sumatra) was the province with the worst impact compared to others.

"The worst is North Sumatra, because access from the south has not penetrated. We focus on opening the route from Barus to Sibolga," said Dody, quoted from his written statement, Monday, December 1.

Dody explained that the road is a crucial access so that assistance, including logistics, clean water and emergency needs can enter more quickly.

"If the weather and diesel supply are sufficient, we are targeting that by Monday afternoon it can be penetrated," he said.

He emphasized that accelerating the opening of road access was a top priority. He has even ordered that heavy equipment from BUMN Karya projects be drawn to disaster points.

"I have been ordered since three days ago so that heavy equipment from BUMN Karya projects is withdrawn to disaster points. This is a national priority. Without a road opening, all aid will be very late and can cause social problems in the field," he said.

The disaster management in North Sumatra was carried out by the North Sumatra National Road Implementation Center (BPJN) together with the North Sumatra II River Basin Center (BBWS) and the North Sumatra Building, Infrastructure and Area Planning Center (BPBP).

BPJN North Sumatra deployed 38 heavy equipment that were already at the location and 9 others were on their way. Meanwhile, the total need for handling is 52 units, so an additional five heavy equipment is needed to strengthen work in the field.

In addition, BBWS Sumatra II strengthened its handling by sending two excavator units, two rubber boats and assistance for flood materials for emergency needs.

The opening of Tarutung's access to Sibolga has recorded progress of 28 points, while Tarutung's access to Sipirok has also begun to open up with the completion of the handling at one critical point.

In addition, BBWS cleaned up landslide material in Humbang Hasundutan and helped evacuate residents trapped in floodwaters in Medan City using two rubber boats. Humanitarian assistance in the form of 50 blankets, mattresses and food packages has also been distributed.

Fuel support of 3,000 liters has also been met for operational needs in the next day, while the next supply continues to be prepared in stages.

The Ministry of Public Works has also prepared emergency handling materials, such as geobags, sheet piles and bailey bridges.

Until now, land access to Sibolga City and the Central Tapanuli region are still hampered, while communication can only be carried out through the Starlink satellite network installed by related agencies.

Untuk diketahui, banjir dan longsor melanda 11 kabupaten/kota di Provinsi Sunut. Tapanuli Tengah, Sibolga, Tapanuli Utara, Tapanuli Selatan, Mandailing Natal dan Dairi, menjadi wilayah dengan kerusakan terparah.

Mengingat ada kerusakan pada dua jalur strategis yang menjadi akses utama logistik.

Sementara Ruas Tarutung–Sipirok terdapat 49 titik longsor dan hingga 29 November pukul 20.00 WIB, sebanyak 14 titik telah berhasil dibersihkan.

Kemudian, Ruas Tarutung–Sibolga terdampak 35 titik dan penanganan telah mencapai 17 lokasi.

Selain longsor, terdapat 17 titik jalan putus terdiri dari 13 kerusakan badan jalan dan empat kerusakan pada jembatan atau oprit.

To note, floods and landslides hit 11 districts/cities in North Sunut Province. Central Tapanuli, Sibolga, North Tapanuli, South Tapanuli, Mandailing Natal and Dairi, became the area with the worst damage.

Given that there is damage to two strategic routes that are the main access to logistics.

Meanwhile, the Sipirok Tarutung Section has 49 landslide points and as of November 29 at 20.00 WIB, 14 points have been successfully cleared.

Then, the Sibolga Tarutung Section was affected by 35 points and the handling had reached 17 locations.

In addition to landslides, there were 17 points of broken roads consisting of 13 damage to the road and four damage to the bridge or oprit.