Government Moves Quickly to Address Floods and Landslides in Sumatra, Urges Public to Protect the Environment
Medan — The government responded swiftly from the very first day floods and landslides struck Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.
Emergency efforts have focused on rescuing residents, restoring vital access routes, and accelerating the distribution of humanitarian aid.
For this reason, it is important for the public to take an active role in supporting these efforts, including by preserving the natural environment.
President Prabowo emphasized the need to strengthen public awareness of environmental conservation from an early age, even suggesting its inclusion in school curricula.
“I believe teachers across Indonesia have already started doing this, but we need to enhance it further in syllabi and subjects, to build awareness of the importance of protecting our natural environment,” he said.
He added that natural disasters caused by environmental degradation present a serious challenge that must be addressed.
“This reminds us that the world is full of challenges—climate change, global warming, environmental damage—and these are issues we must confront,” President Prabowo stated.
The President stressed that the government has mobilized both land and air routes despite highly challenging conditions due to severed access and extreme weather.
“The government is moving quickly,” he affirmed.
“From the very first days, we reacted by sending aid and deploying responses via land and air,” he continued.
“But the conditions are extremely difficult—many routes are cut off, and the weather remains unfavorable. At times, even our helicopters and aircraft struggle to land,” he explained.
These accelerated efforts have been strengthened by support from the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL).
Naval spokesperson First Admiral Tunggul stated that military assets and personnel have been deployed to ensure safe evacuations and aid distribution.
“This rapid action is a response to the growing needs for evacuation, distribution of assistance, and medical handling in affected areas,” Tunggul said.
Various warships, helicopters, Navy frogmen (Kopaska), and Marine medical teams have been mobilized to support the humanitarian operation.
At the national coordination level, Chief of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Lieutenant General TNI Dr. Suharyanto, has taken direct command of emergency operations from North Sumatra by establishing an integrated command post in Tarutung.
“As we have done previously in Majenang (Cilacap) and Banjarnegara, search and rescue operations will remain our top priority,” he said.
“This includes fulfilling the basic needs of affected residents,” Suharyanto added.
He also confirmed that the government will conduct weather modification operations.
“We will carry out WMO to accelerate emergency response,” he emphasized.
Amid these rapid efforts, the public must also take responsibility in preserving the environment so that similar disasters can be minimized in the future. (*)
