Tapsel Regent Requests Amphibious Heavy Equipment to Transport Wood Piles

JAKARTA - The Regent of South Tapanuli (Tapsel) Gus Irawan Pasaribu said that at present, amphibious heavy equipment is needed to transport large-sized wood piles that hinder the flow of water in the downstream part of the Batang Toru River Basin (DAS) that has accumulated due to hydrometeorological disasters in the local area.

"If you count, the pile of wood at the downstream reaches 3.3 kilometers (km), and as a result, there are still several villages that are flooded," said Gus Irawan in Sipirok, Friday, January 30, reported by ANTARA.

He said the river flow flowed to a lower place, but was blocked by the large pile of wood, so that the flow of water entered the residents' settlement.

According to him, the pile of wood has covered the river flow in three points.

"The location of this wood pile is already quite close to the border of Mandailing and downstream of the Batang Toru River there are three accumulation points," said Gus Irawan.

His party also discussed with the KSDA Headquarters, the River Headquarters, and SOEs regarding the handling of the wooden logs that blocked the flow of water.

"There is no other way, except by bringing in amphibious heavy equipment. We hope this will be handled immediately," said GusIrawan.

Previously, he also encouraged the presence of a permanent bridge built over the Garoga River which connects South Tapanuli Regency, Central Tapanuli, and Sibolga City which is very vital for the distribution of goods and the mobilization of people.

"Currently, two Bailey Bridges have been built at the location, but this is temporary and there are restrictions on trucks under 25 tons that can pass there," said Gus Irawan, Thursday (29/1).

He also admitted that he had reported the need for a permanent bridge that could withstand a car load of more than 30 tons to the Chairman of the Task Force for the Acceleration of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Post-disaster Sumatra, who is also the Minister of Home Affairs, Muhammad Tito Karnavian.

The permanent bridge, he said, is very much needed considering the distribution of subsidized gas and non-subsidized gas transported from Padang City using a ship to the Sibolga Port.

The ship first sailed to Nias, then to Sibolga. Then, the gas was transported by land to South Tapanuli through the bridge.

He said that the transportation of gas can only be carried out once a week, while the need is much greater.

The bridge, he continued, is needed so that trucks with a weight of over 30 tons can pass through and gas can be brought to South Tapanuli.