JAKARTA - The Ministry of Public Works (PU) has started handling the emergency response to the Jamuan Dam that broke down in Sawang District, North Aceh Regency, Aceh Province, as well as preparing a permanent handling design as a long-term solution.
The disruption to the dam occurred due to changes in river flow after the flood, which caused the existing embankment to collapse and the flow of water shifted from its original position.
This condition has an impact on the irrigation system that irrigates around 1,600 hectares (ha) of irrigated land.
Minister PU Dody Hanggodo assessed that the construction and maintenance of irrigation infrastructure is a strategic priority for the government in maintaining the stability of national agricultural production.
"This handling is a manifestation of the Ministry of PU's commitment to ensuring that water resources infrastructure functions optimally to support food security," said Dody, quoted from a written statement, Tuesday, April 21.
Emergency handling began on Sunday, April 19, which was marked by the mobilization of heavy equipment to the location.
A number of temporary measures that have been carried out include diverting the river flow through the construction of a temporary embankment along about 375 meters (m), the construction of a retention pond and pumping to maintain the water supply to agricultural land.
The PU Ministry through the Sungai Regional Office (BWS) Sumatera I also provides technical support and coordinates with the local government (Pemda), considering that the authority to manage irrigation is at the provincial level.
The disruption to the dam also affected people's agricultural activities, especially in meeting the water needs for land processing and planting seasons.
The acceleration of handling is considered important to maintain the sustainability of agricultural production in the region.
The acceleration effort received appreciation from the local government.
North Aceh Deputy Regent Tarmizi conveyed support for the rapid steps taken.
The same was conveyed by the Acting Secretary of the Sawang Sub-district Office, Efendi Nur, who stated his readiness to accompany the implementation of handling in the field.
In parallel, the Ministry of PU through the Irrigation Engineering Office and the River Basin Office (BWS) of Sumatra I are preparing a permanent handling design.
The plan includes the construction of a new dam along 600 m with a width of about 100 m and the construction of a channel leading to the existing intake along about 600 m.
The permanent handling is planned to be supported by government financing, including through the acceleration program for the development and rehabilitation of regional irrigation networks and post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction programs in the Sumatra region.
The PU Ministry stated that the permanent handling was directed to increase the resilience of infrastructure to changes in hydrological conditions, so that the downstream function in the future not only recovers, but also becomes more reliable in the face of similar potential disasters.
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