Dandim: Hundreds of TNI Soldiers Help Affected People in Agam

Commander of Kodim (Dandim) 0304/Agam, Lieutenant Colonel Inf. Slamet Dwi Santoso (photo: doc. between)

Bukittinggi - Hundreds of TNI soldiers from the Military District Command (Kodim) 0304/Agam were deployed to help the evacuation process and recovery of areas affected by natural disasters in Agam Regency, West Sumatra.

The commander of Kodim 0304/Agam, Lieutenant Colonel Inf. Slamet Dwi Santoso, said that around 800 joint soldiers had been involved in helping to handle disasters at a number of points, most of which were in Agam Regency.

"Agam Regency is still in the emergency response phase. Since the disaster occurred in late November 2025, there have been around 800 soldiers deployed directly to the field," said Slamet in Bukittinggi, Thursday, January 1.

He explained that at present the main focus of the TNI soldiers is the restoration of access and infrastructure, including the construction of bailey bridges and armco bridges in the Palembayan area and the area around Lake Maninjau.

In addition, as many as 100 soldiers from Kodim 0304/Agam are still on alert to help build temporary housing (huntara) for affected residents in Palembayan. The TNI targets the construction of 207 huntara units to be completed immediately.

"We are trying our best to achieve the target for the construction of temporary housing," he said.

According to the Dandim, the main obstacle in the field is the unfriendly weather conditions, including the potential for landslides and subsequent floods that are still occurring in several locations.

"The only obstacle is the weather, but so far there have been no casualties among TNI soldiers of Kodim 0304/Agam," he said.

Since the natural disaster in the form of landslides and flash floods occurred on November 27, 2025, TNI soldiers have been directly involved in various activities, ranging from evacuating and rescuing residents, distributing aid, to cleaning landslide materials in settlements and road access.

Based on provisional data, 163 residents of Agam Regency died, while 38 others were still missing due to the disaster.