Govt forms task force for post-disaster water recovery

[hartono]

Children displaced by floods and landslides carry clean water in Muhajirin Village, Bener Meriah, Aceh, Tuesday (Dec. 30, 2025). According to residents affected by the disaster, they are in urgent need of clean water to meet daily needs, as natural water sources remain covered in mud. (ANTARA FOTO/IRWANSYAH PUTRA)

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has established the "Kuala Task Force" to accelerate post-disaster recovery in Aceh and North Sumatra by deploying specialized vessels to restore clean water access.

The name "Kuala," which refers to a river mouth or estuary, reflects the unit's primary mission: dredging shallow, sediment-choked rivers and converting the water flow into potable supplies for disaster victims.

“The task force consists of two components,” Sjamsoeddin said in a statement on Friday. 

“The first will focus on deepening river mouths, while the second is directed at utilizing water resources in the affected areas.”

The ministry is deploying vessels equipped with an integrated three-stage water treatment system.

First, river water passes through Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) filtration tubes designed for rugged field conditions. 

It then undergoes Reverse Osmosis (RO) to remove dissolved salts and micro-contaminants, followed by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation to eliminate bacteria and viruses.

Sjamsoeddin noted that this purification technology has been successfully utilized in previous disaster zones and is designed for immediate deployment.

The move follows a New Year’s Day address by President Prabowo Subianto, who assured the public on Thursday that the government is fully capable of managing the Sumatra recovery efforts.

While the recent floods and landslides have not been officially designated as a "national disaster," the President emphasized that the government is working in a coordinated manner and will allocate the necessary budget to restore the three affected provinces.

The Kuala Task Force is expected to begin operations immediately to address the critical water shortages facing displaced communities in the region.

Govt forms task force for post-disaster water recovery

Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin has established the "Kuala Task Force" to accelerate post-disaster recovery in Aceh and North Sumatra by ...

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