Ministry of Public Works Restores Access to Sibolga After Natural Disasters

Gradual Road Opening Underway

The Indonesian Ministry of Public Works has made significant progress in restoring access to Sibolga, North Sumatra, following severe isolation caused by recent flooding and landslides. Minister Dody Hanggodo confirmed that the road to Sibolga has been opened through routes from Aceh and Kecamatan Barus, Central Tapanuli.

Current Road Conditions and Future Plans

While the road is currently accessible to small vehicles and motorcycles, larger vehicles like trucks are still unable to pass through. The ministry is working to upgrade the road conditions to allow small trucks to enter Sibolga by today. This development is crucial as it will enable the delivery of aid through land routes, reducing reliance on sea transport from Belawan.

Challenges in North Sumatra

The region has presented significant challenges due to its high incidence of landslides. To address this, the ministry has opted to open access from Aceh, bypassing some of the most affected areas. The focus now shifts to improving connectivity to other parts of North Sumatra, including North, South, and Central Tapanuli.