The Ministry Of Public Works Uses 21 Heavy Equipment To Restore Rivers In Aceh

The Ministry of Public Works (PU) through the Sumatra River Basin Center (BWS) I deployed 21 units of heavy equipment to restore the condition of rivers, embankments, and basic services of the community after the flood and landslide disaster in Aceh.

"Emergency handling on embankments, rivers, and vital access must be ensured to run without waiting. We will continue to strengthen heavy equipment support and personnel until conditions return to recovery," said PU Minister Dody Hanggodo in a statement quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, December 11.

A total of 21 units of the Sumatran I BWS heavy equipment have been in the field to support emergency disaster management operations, especially in the Water Resources (SDA) sector spread across Pidie Jaya, North Aceh, West Aceh, Aceh Tamiang, Central Aceh, Bireuen, and Southeast Aceh.

The Minister of Public Works emphasized that his commitment was to be at the forefront of handling water resource infrastructure, considering that the impact of the disaster caused 36 embankments to collapse, 143 critical embankments, and damage to irrigation networks in various districts.

"Emergency handling is carried out in parallel by prioritizing locations with the risk of further flooding through the deployment of heavy equipment and emergency response personnel," he said.

He conveyed that dozens of heavy equipment such as excavators, long arm excavators, and wheel loaders work in critical locations with river flow diversion work, sediment cleaning, embankment repairs, as well as access opening for logistics and evacuation.

Dody said, one of the priority works is the continuation of the transfer of the Manyang River in Meureudu District, Pidie Jaya Regency which continues to be worked on to prevent water runoff from spreading to settlements.

In Aceh Tamiang, he continued, BWS Sumatra I also supports the restoration of access and basic community services through cleaning sediments on the main sections of the Kuala Simpang area.

"Similarly, logistical assistance such as basic necessities, blankets, and the needs of refugees are also distributed to various points affected by the Dam and PPK operations and maintenance," he said.

Cleaning up education and religious infrastructure has also become a concern. Since December 8, the Sumatra I BWS team has been dispatched to clean up dayah infrastructure (pesantren) in Samalanga District, Bireuen Regency, as well as open access roads for inspections and other public facilities affected by mud and flood materials.

The Ministry of Public Works ensures that emergency handling will continue until all critical locations are handled and the basic service conditions of the community return to normal.

"Coordination with local governments, BPBD, and the TNI/Polri is also strengthened to ensure that the distribution of heavy equipment, logistics, and field activities runs effectively and measurably," said Dody Hanggodo.