BNPB Head Suharyanto reported that the road clearance is significant in accelerating aid distribution and search and rescue (SAR) operations in the affected areas, particularly in Central Tapanuli District.
The National Support Post in North Tapanuli received reports that the Tarutung-Sibolga route was cut off at several points spanning nearly 100 kilometers due to landslides, including access to several villages in Parmonangan and Adiankoting.
Due to this situation, more than 12,000 residents are isolated from logistical support and still cannot be evacuated by the combined forces of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), the military, and the police.
Suharyanto noted that efforts to restore land access would proceed on Monday, covering the Singkuang–Tabuyung route in Mandailing Natal District and the Batang Natal–Muara Batang Gadis section, which remains blocked at various points, isolating several sub-districts.
At the same time, officers under technical coordination from the Ministry of Public Works also gradually reopened access routes using heavy equipment on the Sibolga-Padang Sidempuan and Sibolga-Tarutung national roads.
Several other access points in North Sumatra and Aceh provinces are also reportedly still blocked, including the North Sumatra-Aceh Tamiang border and the Meureudu Bridge on the Pidie Jaya-Bireuen border, which was severely damaged.
The latest BNPB data shows the death toll from floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra stood at 442 people. Meanwhile, the total number of missing persons in the three provinces reached 402.
As of Monday, the seventh day of the disaster emergency, joint personnel were assisting evacuees spread across several locations, including 3,600 people in North Tapanuli, 1,659 in Central Tapanuli, 4,661 in South Tapanuli, 4,456 in Sibolga City, 2,200 in Humbang Hasundutan, and 1,378 in Mandailing Natal.
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Translator: Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Arie Novarina
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