Sibolga's Tarutung Access Is 38 Km Open, The Ministry Of Public Works Reveals Its Obstacles

Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo. (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The only 38 kilometers (km) of the total 64 km cut off due to floods and landslides from Sumatra are confirmed to have been successfully opened until Thursday, December 4, 2025. Handling is focused on the large landslide point at KM 38-39.

The Ministry of Public Works (PU) revealed that the main obstacle is the non-availability of landslide material disposal rooms.

"As well as the large number of large vehicles buried, so the work must be done carefully and relayed," said PU Minister Dody Hanggodo in a written statement, Friday, December 5.

The handling involves a combination of tools from the Sumatra II River Basin Center (BBWS), the North Sumatra National Road Implementation Center (BBPJN), the North Sumatra Provincial Public Works Service, the North Tapanuli Regency PUPR Service, the TNI as well as the support of WIKA contractors, Waskita and Hutama Karya.

The total heavy equipment deployed included 9 excavator units and one dozer unit (BBWS Sumatra II, Waskita, Wika), one Backhoe Loader Unit (BBPJN North Sumatra), two Dump Truck Units and two Water Tank Cars (BPBPK North Sumatra), one Backhoe Loader Unit (Dinas PU North Sumatra Province), one Excavator Unit (TNI AD) and 1 Wheel Loader Unit (PT. Hutama Karya).

The Ministry of Public Works through BBWS Sumatra II also provides support for flood management in Medan City which hit 14 sub-districts in the form of rubber boats for the evacuation of residents, distribution of blankets, mattresses, basic needs and installation of public hydrants to support the availability of clean water in refugee camps.

A total of 14 sub-districts include Medan Marelan; West Medan; Medan Baru; Medan Deli; Medan Helvetia; Medan Johor; and Medan Labuhan.

Then, Medan Maimun District; Medan Petisah; Medan Polonia; Medan Selayang; Medan Sunggal; East Medan; and Medan Tuntungan.

The TRC BBWS Sumatra II team conducted a rapid assessment in Mandailing Natal and South Tapanuli Regencies.

The local government has activated public kitchens and evacuated affected residents.

The Ministry of Public Works also supports the mobilization of public heavy equipment and hydrants, portable toilets and mobile toilets for handling emergency sanitation needs.

The distribution of tools and materials is alerted to accelerate emergency handling, by deploying 63 units of heavy equipment already in the field and 21 units in the mobilization process. Including long arm excavators, standard excavators, loaders, wheel loads to dozers.

A total of 131 construction materials are also available, including geobags, wire gabions, general hydrant iron frames, portable public hydrants, portable toilets and toilet mobiles.

In addition, 3,000 liters of fuel stock is available to ensure the tool can operate continuously at the disaster site.

Menurut Dody, seluruh unsur teknis Kementerian PU bergerak bersama dengan pemerintah daerah untuk membuka kembali jalur-jalur yang sempat terputus dan menjaga kelancaran distribusi bantuan bagi masyarakat terdampak.

"Prioritas pertama adalah membuka akses jalan agar seluruh bantuan dan peralatan dapat masuk dengan aman. Kementerian PU akan terus menambah dukungan alat berat dan personel sesuai kebutuhan serta bekerja erat dengan BPBD dan pemerintah daerah agar penanganan berlangsung efektif," imbuhnya.

According to Dody, all technical elements of the Ministry of Public Works moved together with local governments to reopen routes that had been cut off and maintain the smooth distribution of aid for affected communities.

"The first priority is to open road access so that all aid and equipment can enter safely. The Ministry of Public Works will continue to increase support for heavy equipment and personnel as needed and work closely with BPBD and local governments so that the handling takes place effectively," he added.