Editor’s Note
- Minister of the Interior Tito Karnavian inspects flood- and landslide-affected areas in the Abolon Forest, Central Tapanuli
- Regularization of the river in Central Tapanuli
- Construction of pedestrian bridges connecting settlements and rice fields
- Collaboration between the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and the Tapteng Regency government
Minister of the Interior Tito Karnavian inspects flood- and landslide-affected areas in the Abolon Forest, Central Tapanuli
Minister of the Interior Tito Karnavian, as head of the Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction Task Force in Sumatra, praised the performance of North Sumatra Governor Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution and Central Tapanuli Regent Masinton Pasaribu.
Minister of the Interior Tito praised their achievements and the idea of using river sediment in the Tukka district, in Central Tapanuli, to build dikes.
The Tukka district, particularly the village of Hutanabolon, was hardest hit by the floods and landslides in late November 2025. The river flowing through this village was clogged with mud, stones, and wood, causing water to flood residential areas.
River Normalization in Central Tapanuli
The provincial government of North Sumatra (Pemprov), the district government of Central Tapanuli (Pemkab), and the central government will immediately normalize the river, allowing residents to resume their activities.
The accumulated river sediment and the material clogging the river will be used to build a retaining wall.
“I applaud this idea: the water flows smoothly and the sediment is used as a dike. We should implement this model not only in North Sumatra, but also in Aceh and West Sumatra,” said Tito Karnavian after inspecting the river normalization work in the Tukka district, Tapteng, on Saturday, January 24, 2026.
Construction of a pedestrian bridge connects settlements and rice fields
In addition to converting sediment into a dike, the Tapteng district government and the North Sumatra provincial government are also collaborating on the construction of a pedestrian bridge to improve community mobility. The bridge connects settlements, rice fields, and community gardens.
“It’s a temporary bridge, but it’s very useful. It promotes community mobility here. The idea and the collaboration are excellent,” said Tito.
Collaboration between the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and the Tapteng District Government
Bobby Nasution added that the dike will be made permanent to ensure maximum safety for the local population. The 10.5-kilometer dike is being built in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, the Tapteng District Government, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), and the Indonesian National Police (Polri).
“Construction is currently underway. The river has provincial status. The banks on the right and left sides will be made permanent in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and the Tapteng District Government,” said Bobby Nasution.
In addition to assessing the normalization of the river in Tukka, the group also visited the rehabilitation of the Sipansipahoras hydropower plant in Central Tapanuli. This hydropower plant was also affected by flooding and landslides, but has since been restored to operation. ***obs
