Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia is intensifying efforts to handle driftwood and other debris from flood disasters in Sumatra, with hundreds of logs already recorded for potential community use, the Ministry of Forestry said on Tuesday.
A joint ministerial team has deployed 28 units of heavy equipment to clear piles of wood blocking roads, residential areas, and educational facilities in Langkahan, North Aceh, Aceh, according to Gunung Leuser National Park (BBTNGL) head Subhan.
As of Monday, authorities had recorded 300 logs totaling 469.26 cubic meters that could be utilized, Subhan said.
"We are prioritizing clearing wood blocking road access, residential areas, and public facilities. We are sorting and recording wood with usable value for residents' emergency needs," he explained.
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The use of the wood by communities and humanitarian agencies has supported the construction of temporary shelters, with two units currently under construction and one already completed.
In North Sumatra, post-disaster response efforts are focused on Garoga, Huta Godang, and Aek Ngadol villages in South Tapanuli.
A joint team has deployed 20 units of heavy equipment and 10 dump trucks for wood sorting, river normalization of the Garoga River, cleaning residents' homes, and environmental restoration.
Several segments of the wood-sorting work have reached 100 percent completion under the established work plan, Subhan added.
Head of the North Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA) Novita Kusuma Wardani said the effort is being carried out alongside preparations for housing for affected residents.
"Besides wood clearing and sorting, we are also supporting land preparation for temporary and permanent housing. The wood will be used for emergency community needs in accordance with regulations," she said.
Related news: Ministry allows public to use driftwood from flood debris
Preliminary measurements in the Garoga area recorded 426 logs with a volume of 253.85 cubic meters and 154 pieces of sawn timber totaling 4,236 cubic meters.
In West Sumatra, the Ministry of Forestry is identifying and collecting data on driftwood along Padang Beach and the Batang Kuranji and Air Dingin river watersheds.
Head of the West Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) Hartono said the data collection process is still underway.
"We are currently collecting data on the number and types of driftwood in several locations. This will form the basis for utilizing driftwood after a utilization team is appointed through a governor's decree," he said.
The ministry said post-disaster response efforts would be accompanied by routine data updates to ensure the orderly and transparent use of driftwood for affected communities.
This news was published on Antaranews.com with a title: Indonesia clears, records floodwood for community use in Sumatra
