Ministry Launches Efforts to Restore Access to Flood-Isolated Sibolga

Coordinated Response to Natural Disaster

The Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) has intensified efforts to restore access to Sibolga City, North Sumatra, following severe isolation caused by recent floods and landslides. Minister Dody Hanggodo reported that the city remains one of the most severely affected areas, with current access routes rendered impassable due to multiple landslide points.

Alternative Route Preparation

In response to the challenging conditions on the North Sumatra route, the ministry is preparing an alternative access path from Aceh to Sibolga. 'There's a high possibility that we can break through, but from Aceh. Because if we go through North Sumatra, there are too many points that have landslides, broken roads, and it will take time - maybe a week, or up to 10 days if we go through North Sumatra,' Dody explained during a press briefing at the Ministry of PUPR office in Jakarta on Saturday (30/11/2025).

Implementation Timeline

The specific access road being developed starts from Barus Subdistrict, Central Tapanuli. The Ministry of PUPR is targeting to open this alternative route by Monday afternoon, the following day. This rapid response demonstrates the government's commitment to restoring connectivity in disaster-affected regions.

Infrastructure Challenges

The current situation in Sibolga highlights the vulnerability of certain infrastructure to natural disasters. The ministry's efforts not only focus on immediate access restoration but also consider long-term infrastructure resilience in the face of such calamities.