The temporary shelters are critical for people whose homes suffered severe damage or were swept away, said Abdul Muhari, head of the disaster agency's data, information and disaster communication.
BNPB data show 28,708 houses were damaged across North Sumatra. Of those, 5,158 were severely damaged and 1,068 were destroyed or washed away by flooding.
Langkat District recorded the highest number of damaged homes at 11,273 units, followed by Central Tapanuli with 6,481 and South Tapanuli with 4,624, BNPB data showed.
As an initial step, construction of 102 temporary housing units began in North Tapanuli district on Saturday to accommodate residents unable to return to their homes, Abdul said.
In South Tapanuli, authorities have agreed on relocation sites on land owned by state plantation firm PTPN IV at the Batang Toru and Hapesong estates for a planned 488 units.
Handling evacuees and building temporary housing will be carried out in stages with local governments to ensure projects match community needs and social conditions, Abdul said.
At the same time, BNPB is distributing logistical aid and restoring damaged infrastructure to support the recovery of daily activities in affected areas, he added.
In Aceh Province, only three of 18 affected districts and cities have proposed locations for temporary housing: Central Aceh, Pidie and Gayo Lues, he said.
BNPB is urging other local governments in Aceh to quickly submit sites, as temporary housing must be built on uncontested land owned by regional governments, Abdul said.
The number of evacuees across the three Sumatra provinces continues to decline. As of Monday, December 15, 2025, 608,000 people remained displaced, down from 624,000 a day earlier.
Aceh accounted for the largest number of evacuees at about 572,000 people, while the death toll across affected areas has reached 1,030, Abdul said.
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Translator: M.Riezko BEP, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Primayanti
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