Roads top priority in Flores earthquake recovery: minister

hartono · Aug 24, 2026

Roads top priority in Flores earthquake recovery: minister

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Indonesian Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo (center) leads post-quake recovery coordination meeting in Sikka District, East Nusa Tenggara. (ANTARA/HO-Public Works Ministry)

Kupang, NTT (ANTARA) - Restoring road access is the top priority in post-earthquake recovery in Sikka District, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo said here Monday.

“Several national roads that were previously cut off have now been cleared and reopened to facilitate mobility and aid distribution,” Hanggodo said.

The magnitude 7.7 Flores earthquake triggered landslides and severely damaged several road sections in Sikka.

Several routes, including Lianunu-Hepang, Krica-Nitung and Krica-Lidi, have been repaired, while other areas still require heavy equipment and further work.

The Koro-Maumere section near Dagedama Bridge remains a concern. Active landslides on nearby cliffs threaten the road and the Ende-Maumere logistics route.

Authorities have recommended immediately building retaining walls to stabilize the area, Hanggodo said.

The Wolowiro Bridge suffered severe structural damage, disrupting access to schools, health facilities, agricultural routes and tourism areas.

Authorities have recommended closing the bridge and building a temporary route while planning a permanent replacement, Hanggodo said.

“Several bridges will require one or two more days to become fully functional,” Hanggodo said, adding that he expected them to soon operate at full capacity.

The recovery aims not only to restore infrastructure but make it more resilient.

At President Prabowo’s direction, reconstruction must better withstand future disasters and help restore public life and economic activity, he added.