December 23, 2025 | 06:03 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Deputy Minister of Forestry Rohmat Marzuki led an online Coordination Meeting on Flood-Wrecked Wood Material Cleanup on Sunday, December 21, 2025. He emphasized the importance of evaluating the progress of the cleanup of wood material carried by flash floods in Padang (West Sumatra), Aceh Tamiang and North Aceh (Aceh), and South Tapanuli (North Sumatra).
"We hope that the location in Padang can be a quick win from this cleanup," Rohmat said when opening the meeting, as quoted in a press release on Monday, December 22, 2025.
He led the online meeting while visiting the flood site in Aceh Tamiang. Representatives of the local government, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) were also present. They strengthened cross-stakeholder coordination, particularly regarding the deployment of additional heavy equipment to affected areas.
Progress in West Sumatra was reported, as the cleanup of wood material along the coast of Padang began this morning, involving eight units of heavy equipment and active community participation. The hope is that within the next four to five days, the wood around the beach can be completely cleared, despite the relatively high thickness of the material.
"Eight excavators have arrived. Please arrange where excavators need to be used, especially for large pieces of wood. Thank you also to the community involved in the cleanup," said Rohmat.
He also directed that the cleared wood be allocated appropriately. He again left the decision to the officers on site or in the field. "Which should be disposed of at the final processing site (TPA), and which can be used to help build temporary housing for flood victims."
In Aceh Tamiang, the cleanup is centered around the Darul Muchsin Islamic Boarding School, with eight excavators planned to operate. Drone measurements indicate the wood piles cover approximately two hectares, with a height of up to four meters and a volume of approximately 80,000 cubic meters.
According to Rohmat, the cleanup in this area is estimated to take seven days. He also announced that the National Police have added support from one company of Mobile Brigade Corps (Brimob) personnel.
In North Aceh, he said, three heavy equipment units have been working and successfully cleared the main mosque so it can be used again by the community. To expedite the completion, Rohmat promised additional heavy equipment in the area. "We're optimizing the work, and we'll increase the number of heavy equipment units to seven soon," he said.
He also emphasized that the government has allowed the use of wood materials carried by the flood to assist in post-disaster reconstruction as part of an integrated and sustainable recovery effort.
Plenty of Wood Debris Remains in the Upstream Area
In North Sumatra, he said, the cleanup of wood materials in the Garoga River has been underway for almost 20 days, with less than 20 percent of its original condition remaining. However, according to Rohmat, access challenges to the location have slowed the arrival of heavy equipment.
"A joint team from the Ministry of Forestry, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) has been deployed to normalize the river, build emergency bridges, and clean up residents' homes and public facilities," he added.
Regarding the potential danger of wood remaining in the upstream area, Rohmat emphasized anticipatory measures. He instructed drone monitoring. "Look for possible access points. The wood must be chopped to reduce the potential for it to be carried away by river water if rainfall increases again," he said.
He added that three priorities in Garoga are: cleanup downstream, monitoring landslide locations upstream, and providing early warnings to the community regarding the potential for further flooding, especially given the abundance of wood upstream.
Read: Indonesia Says Flood-Hit Businesses Will Not Automatically Get Loan Waivers
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
IDAI Deploys 70 Pediatric Specialists to Disaster Zones in Sumatra
11 jam lalu
Since late November to December, the IDAI team has served approximately 4,575 children in various affected locations in Sumatra.
Hashim Denies Claims His Older Brother Prabowo Owns Palm Oil Land in Sumatra
11 jam lalu
Gekira trustee chair Hashim Djojohadikusumo rejected allegations that President Prabowo Subianto owns oil palm land, calling them defamatory.
Disasters Leave Children in Indonesia at Risk of Sleep Disorders and PTSD
12 jam lalu
A recent study by the Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI) revealed the prevalence of sleeping disorders, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children affected by the recent natural disaster in Sumatra.
State-Approved Deforestation Blamed for Sumatra Disasters, PHLI Says
13 jam lalu
The recent floods and landslides in Sumatra were not solely caused by illegal logging but also by legal deforestation practices approved through state permits.
Indonesia Says Flood-Hit Businesses Will Not Automatically Get Loan Waivers
13 jam lalu
Indonesian government will not automatically waive loans for businesses hit by floods in Sumatra and Aceh, a deputy minister said.
Pediatricians Highlight Toddlers Among Sumatra Disaster Victims Eating Instant Noodles
13 jam lalu
The high carbohydrate and salt content and low protein and fiber content of instant noodles can be detrimental to children's nutrition.
Study Finds Online Public Anger Over Deforestation in Sumatra
14 jam lalu
The social media monitoring by Drone Emprit shows that the social media platform is dominated by negative sentiments due to the slow disaster response in Sumatra, deforestation issues, and the demand for national disaster status.
White Flags Raised as Women Slam Flood Disaster Delay
22 jam lalu
A group of women is preparing to hold a demonstration to protest the govt's delay in declaring a national disaster status due to flooding in Sumatra.
Fact Check: AI Videos Falsely Show Tigers Saved in Sumatra Floods
1 hari lalu
Fact check - The videos in circulation were made using artificial intelligence (AI).
PLN Claims Aceh Power System Back to Normal After Floods
1 hari lalu
The President Director of PLN said they continue to accelerate the recovery of electricity after the Sumatra floods until the electricity network is fully restored to the public.
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/4548967/original/094336900_1692782124-tanaphong-toochinda-FEhFnQdLYyM-unsplash.jpg)