Central Government Steps In to Restore Flood-Battered Asotipo District

RRI.CO.ID, Wamena - The recovery efforts for the disaster-stricken Pobiatma Hamlet, Asotipo District in Highland Papua have received a significant boost as the Public Works (PU) Ministry prepares a targeted intervention for the region. 

Following a formal declaration of a regional disaster by local authorities, the central government is mobilizing specialized teams to address the long-term environmental and residential fallout from the recent landslides and floods.

Jayawijaya Regent, Atenius Murib, confirmed on Monday, Februari 2, 2026, that the Ministry, acting through the Papua Merauke River Basin Agency (BWS), has committed to a comprehensive post-disaster recovery plan. 

"We have communicated with the central government through the Papua Merauke River Basin Agency to assist in the post-disaster management in Asotipo," said Regent Atenius in Wamena, as quoted by Antara.

This collaboration was triggered by a specific Regent's Decree (SK) that officially classifies the events in Asotipo as a regional disaster, providing the necessary legal framework for federal assistance.

The intervention is scheduled to span a four-month period, beginning in January and concluding in April 2026. During this window, the BWS team will conduct on-site assessments to restore the area’s geography. 

"Based on the Jayawijaya Regent's Decree, the team from the Papua Merauke River Basin Agency will come to see firsthand the current conditions in the areas affected by the landslides and floods," explained Regent Atenius. 

He further noted that the primary focus of the agency will be the normalization of several river branches that were choked or diverted during the disaster. This work is a critical step in preventing future flooding and returning the landscape to its original state.

Parallel to the environmental restoration, the Jayawijaya Housing Agency is finalizing a detailed audit of residential damage to facilitate the relocation of displaced families. The assessment distinguishes between homes that can be salvaged and those completely interred by mud. 

"We have recorded the losses caused by the landslides and floods, including how many houses are covered in mud and cannot be repaired, and how many can be cleaned to immediately facilitate relocation," said Regent Atenius. 

This dual approach, combining river normalization with housing relocation, aims to provide a sustainable path forward for the residents of Asotipo District as they rebuild their lives. ***