KBRN, Jakarta: Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation has confirmed that airports and ports across Sumatra continue to operate normally despite widespread flooding in several regions. Efforts are underway to restore road access to ensure public mobility and the smooth distribution of logistics.

“Alhamdulillah, those affected will be given strength and resilience. We extend our condolences for the disaster. Several transport services both land, sea, air, and rail in parts of Sumatra remain impacted by flooding,” said Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi on Saturday, November 29, 2025.

The minister explained that coordination with stakeholders is ongoing to restore services while prioritizing safety. Reports indicate flooding has disrupted land, sea, and rail infrastructure in Aceh and North Sumatra.

“In air transport, several airports are reported safe and operating normally. However, road access to some airports has been blocked by floods or landslides, including DR. F.L. Tobing Airport in Sibolga, North Sumatra, and Rembele–Takengon Airport in Aceh,” he noted.

In West Sumatra, the minister said the impact on transport infrastructure has been relatively minimal. Operations at Teluk Bayur Port, Minangkabau Airport, and several terminals remain stable.

“Facilities in several areas are reported safe, though some locations are still affected by flooding and landslides. At the same time, assessments are being carried out to identify damaged infrastructure for repair,” he added.

Recovery efforts are focused on inspecting road networks, normalizing port operations, and gradually restoring railway connectivity. “Technical teams are on the ground to assess conditions and accelerate the reopening of vital transport access,” Minister Dudy said.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) is supporting recovery efforts through weather modification operations in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. The program aims to reduce the risk of extreme rainfall that could trigger further floods and landslides.

Head of BNPB’s Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, explained that cloud seeding is being directed to divert rainfall toward safer zones. “This intervention is crucial given the emergency caused by extreme weather that has severely affected Aceh and surrounding areas,” he said. (Misni Parjiati/Sri Wahyuni)