Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia has sent Starlink units, generators, and emergency supplies to North Sumatra after floods and landslides disrupted electricity, water, and communications, officials said Friday.
National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Head Suharyanto said 17 Starlink units and generators were deployed to support emergency communications in the hardest-hit areas.
“President Prabowo Subianto’s assistance for North Sumatra has arrived, and we will distribute it according to needs on the ground,” Suharyanto said at a press conference.
The disasters hit North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Aceh, with Central Tapanuli most affected. Power and water outages have made communication and generator support critical.
More Starlink units are needed in open areas to ensure evacuees can access the internet, Suharyanto added. Each unit covers roughly a 100-meter radius.
“I spoke with evacuees in Central Tapanuli. Each group has a designated location to access the network,” he said, noting five to ten additional units are required.
Other government assistance includes 15 Landing Craft Rubber boats, 750 boxes of instant noodles, 19 refugee tents, and a compressor.
“Assistance from ministries and institutions continues to arrive,” Suharyanto said. Military and heavy equipment are also clearing blocked routes across the region.
As of Friday, BNPB reported 116 deaths and 42 missing in North Sumatra. Central Tapanuli recorded 47 fatalities, South Tapanuli 32, North Tapanuli 11, Sibolga City 17, Humbang Hasundutan 6, Padang Sidempuan City 1, and Pakpak Bharat 2.
No deaths have been reported in Mandailing Natal. Suharyanto said data remains preliminary, with some areas inaccessible, leaving the possibility of additional casualties.
Authorities continue to coordinate emergency response and distribution of supplies to reach isolated communities across North Sumatra.
