Enviro News Asia, Aceh — Ministry of Forestry of Indonesia through its Regional Technical Implementation Units (UPT) has deployed heavy machinery and personnel to accelerate post-flood recovery efforts in several affected regions across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
The operation, coordinated by the UPT for the Aceh Region, focuses on clearing accumulated logs, debris, and sediment left by recent hydrometeorological floods that have obstructed river flows and disrupted community activities. Affected areas include Aceh Tamiang and North Aceh regencies in Aceh, South Tapanuli Regency in North Sumatra, as well as Agam Regency and the coastal areas of Padang in West Sumatra.
Operations in Aceh
In Aceh Tamiang and North Aceh, the Ministry has mobilized a total of 14 excavators—seven units allocated to each regency—along with dozens of dump trucks to transport debris. As of 20 December 2025, multiple excavators had arrived on site, with additional units scheduled to follow, enabling full-scale operations by 21 December.
More than 90 personnel from various forestry-related units, including national park authorities, environmental law enforcement teams, and forest management agencies, have been deployed. These teams are working alongside local disaster management agencies and other government institutions to ensure efficient debris removal and river clearance.
Operations in North Sumatra
In South Tapanuli Regency, recovery activities were carried out from 20–21 December 2025, involving the deployment of five excavators to clear flood debris from residential areas. Additional support included fire engines, over 100 personnel, and dump trucks to remove mud and timber remnants.
To protect critical infrastructure, further excavators were mobilized to reinforce riverbanks and support the installation of a temporary Bailey bridge along the Garoga River, in coordination with public works authorities and the Indonesian National Armed Forces.
Operations in West Sumatra
In West Sumatra, flood response efforts concentrated on coastal Padang and Agam Regency. The Ministry deployed seven excavators and ten dump trucks to remove stranded timber along coastal zones. Approximately 250 personnel from the Ministry, the National Police, and the Armed Forces participated in large-scale clean-up operations. Medical teams were also dispatched to Agam Regency as part of humanitarian assistance.
The UPT Coordinator for the Aceh Region emphasized that field monitoring and information updates will continue as operations progress. This sustained engagement reflects the Ministry’s commitment to accelerating environmental recovery, restoring ecosystem functions, and supporting affected communities in the aftermath of flooding. (*)
