Navy Deploys KRI Gulamah-869 for Flood Relief in Halmahera

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Floods and landslides struck West Halmahera and North Halmahera regencies in North Maluku after heavy rainfall on the evening of January 6, 2026. Water overflowed at around 4 a.m. local time on January 7, inundating residential areas in five subdistricts, including Ibu, East Sahu, Tabaru, South Ibu, and Loloda.

According to the North Maluku Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), two residents of Soasio Village in Loloda died in the disaster. The agency reported that 3,444 people were directly affected, with hundreds of families forced to evacuate to safer locations.

In response, the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) intensified its humanitarian mission by deploying the KRI Gulamah-869 to deliver essential supplies to flood victims in West and North Halmahera. The vessel arrived at Tobelo Harbor on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, marking the latest wave of naval support following the devastating floods.

The deployment of KRI Gulamah-869 followed an earlier relief mission carried out by KRI Dorang-874, ensuring a continuous flow of assistance to displaced residents.

Navy personnel, working with local administration officials, immediately distributed food, medicine, and other necessities from the harbor to evacuation centers and affected neighborhoods.

“This is the next shipment after the Indonesian Navy previously sent logistical assistance with the KRI Dorang-874,” said First Admiral TNI Tunggul, Head of the Navy Information Service (Kadispenal), in Jakarta on Thursday, January 22, as quoted by Antara.

The Navy emphasized that these humanitarian missions, categorized as “Operations Other Than War” (OMP), are a core part of its service to the nation.

By utilizing its fleet for rapid logistics delivery, the TNI AL aims to bypass roadblocks caused by flooding and ensure aid reaches isolated areas quickly.

Tunggul hopes that the sustained naval presence would accelerate recovery efforts in both North and West Halmahera. Military involvement, he added, is crucial to preventing secondary health crises and ensuring that basic needs are met during the critical post-disaster phase. ***