December 5, 2025 | 02:34 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The roar of heavy machinery and chainsaws echoed across Garoga Village in Batangtoru District, South Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia, from morning until late afternoon on Thursday, December 4, 2025.
Excavators and saws were deployed to cut and clear massive piles of timber swept in by the devastating flash floods and landslides that struck several areas of North Sumatra on November 25.
Tempo observed large piles of logs jammed in the Garoga River, obstructing the flow and redirecting the water into a new channel that now runs through what were once residential neighborhoods.
“The Garoga Bridge leading to Sibolga was destroyed after being hit by giant logs during the flood,” said Ashari Hasibuan, a resident of Garoga whose home was reduced to rubble. He spoke while supervising the clearing work on Thursday.
According to Ashari, cleanup efforts using heavy equipment began on Monday, December 1, after the water receded enough to allow machinery to access the area. However, the massive volume of timber debris means progress remains limited.
“Now we only have a footpath open for people heading toward Central Tapanuli or Batangtoru,” he said.
Batangtoru is among the areas hit hardest by the flood and landslide disaster that struck more than a week ago.
As of December 4, the South Tapanuli Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) reported the death toll had risen to 84, up from 81 the previous day. The agency also confirmed 69 people injured, 6,971 displaced from their homes, and 31 others still missing.
Despite the scale of destruction, the government has yet to declare the disaster a national emergency. State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said the decision involves “many considerations,” though he did not elaborate, stating that not all assessments can be made public.
According to him, the status designation is not what matters most. “It is not about the status. What is most important is how the government handles the situation,” he said on Wednesday, December 3, at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base in East Jakarta.
Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno said President Prabowo has instructed all ministries and state agencies to treat the Sumatra disaster response as a national priority.
“This includes ensuring that national funds and logistics are fully available, including the use of the Ready-to-Use Fund during this emergency response,” Pratikno said at the same location.
Hendrik Yaputra contributed to the writing of this article.
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