Access Still Cut Off, Public Works Boost Landslide Handling On The West Coast Of Sumatra

Floods in Padang Pariaman Regency, West Sumatra (doc BNPB)

The Ministry of Public Works (PU) has accelerated the opening of access to North Sumatra (North Sumatra), to ensure logistics distribution for residents affected by floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra (West Sumatra) areas.

"We have shifted the energy to commemorate Public Works Service Day to accelerate disaster management in Sumatra," said PU Minister Dody Hanggodo at the 80th Public Works Service Day and Release of Public Works Care Assistance, quoted by Antra, Sunday, November 30.

He explained that a number of roads on the west coast of Sumatra were still covered by landslides, so land access was limited, and temporary logistics movements would also be directed through corridors from the northern region.

From the North Sumatra side, Tarutung-Sibolga, conditions are still heavy, there are many landslide points that hinder. So it might take a long time to open access. So we also try to enter from the Barus-Aceh (North Koridor) direction," he also said.

He emphasized that accelerating the opening of access is important to prevent logistical delays that can have additional social impacts on isolated communities.

PU deployed additional heavy equipment to penetrate the affected locations, assisted by the TNI, Polri, Basarnas, National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Pertamina, and local governments to ensure that operational support was met.

"We hope that the weather will improve so that access to large cars can penetrate Monday (1/12) afternoon, so that food assistance, clothing, and clean water will arrive sooner," he said.

On that occasion, PU began distributing donations of around Rp. 1 billion to support the basic needs of disaster-affected residents in the three provinces.

PU stated that logistical assistance will continue to adjust the progress of field conditions, including after gradually open land access.

Recovery of road access is the first step in restoring the supply chain for essential goods and accelerating the economic revival of disaster-affected residents.

Previously, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) requested that the search and rescue operation (SAR) in areas affected by floods and landslides in North Sumatra be carried out for 24 hours to accelerate the handling of victims.

In Sibolga, three people are still being searched, while in Central Tapanuli and South Tapanuli a number of residents have not been found. The joint SAR team continues to expand the search area even though access to several points is still hampered by landslides and the breakdown of the communication network.