Deputy Minister of Forestry Rohmat Marzuki, in a press conference on Friday, said that flooding in three provinces in Sumatra occurred in several DAS, namely the Krueng Geukuh, Krueng Pasee, and Krueng Keureto.
Similar conditions also happened in North Sumatra, including the Kolang, Sibuluan, Aek Pandan, Badiri, and Garoga DAS, and in West Sumatra, the Anai, Antokan, Banda Gadang, Masang Kanan, Masang Kiri, and Ulakan Tapis DAS.
"We continue to improve mitigation efforts and evaluate forest management, although most of it falls under the authority of local governments," Marzuki stated.
"However, we will conduct evaluations and encourage forest management to minimize the risk of flooding and landslides," he continued.
His party continues to strengthen comprehensive watershed management measures in response to the increasing incidence of flooding in various regions.
Efforts taken include identifying vulnerable points in the upper reaches of watersheds, accelerating forest and land rehabilitation in critical areas, and implementing revegetation along river banks and steep slopes to improve land stability.
The government is also tightening oversight of land-use changes to keep land use aligned with its ecological role.
Previously, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported that floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra caused a large number of fatalities.
As of Friday afternoon, six people had died and eleven were missing in Aceh. In Bener Meriah District, five fatalities and nine missing persons were reported, while a landslide in Gayo Lues District left one dead and two missing.
According to BNPB data, 55 people were reported dead and 45 missing in North Sumatra. These deaths were reported in Central Tapanuli District, with 34 dead and 33 missing; South Tapanuli District with 13 dead and three missing; North Tapanuli District with three dead and five missing; one casualty in Tapanuli; and four dead and four missing in Humbang Hasundutan District.
Meanwhile, in West Sumatra, nine fatalities were reported, with four in Padang City and five in Padang Pariaman District.
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Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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