Minister PU Targets Irrigation of Rice Fields in Aceh to Resume Function After Ramadan

JAKARTA - Minister of Public Works (PU) Dody Hanggodo targets that irrigation flow from the Pante Lhong Dam in Bireuen Regency, Aceh Province, can return to function after Ramadan.

The target was conveyed when Dody directly reviewed the condition of the dam with Bireuen Regent Mukhlis and the Ministry of PU, Tuesday, February 24, to ensure the acceleration of handling post-flood damage and the restoration of irrigation services for the community's rice fields.

"Alhamdulillah, the intake of Bendung has been completed, hopefully the water will flow soon, so that farmers can start planting after Ramadan," said Dody, quoted from a written statement, Wednesday, February 25.

Bendung Pante Lhong is the main source of water for the Pante Lhong Irrigation Area (DI) covering an area of 6,562 hectares.

After the flood, sedimentation piled up in the mud pockets and disrupted the operation of the flushing gate and damaged the dikes and lining of the irrigation channel.

The increased flow of the Krueng Peusangan River also triggered overtopping, causing erosion of the bank and widening the river's cross-section from around 120 meters to 180 meters.

For emergency handling, the PU Ministry is building a coverdam, carrying out flow normalization and sediment cleaning at intakes and irrigation networks.

In addition, the permanent strengthening of the embankment on the right and left sides of the river is planned along approximately 20 kilometers and will be implemented gradually through a multi-year scheme.

"We have to strengthen the right and left sides so that when there is another flood, it does not hit and widen the river. If the river widens, irrigation is damaged, pumps are damaged and other infrastructure are affected. So, we try to build a permanent embankment," he said.

Meanwhile, Bireuen Regent Mukhlis said that Bendung Pante Lhong was the main focus of farmers in his area, while irrigation damage had an impact on thousands of hectares of land.

"There are six irrigation channels that are damaged and more than 2,000 hectares of rice fields are affected. Hopefully, during this fasting month, it can be functional again, so that after Lebaran, farmers can immediately go to the rice fields," he explained.