Pertamina's gas subholding, PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk (PGN), has sent a team by sea to expedite aid distribution, assist with the evacuation process, and reopen communication access to flood-affected areas in Langsa City, Aceh Province.
The high rainfall in recent days has caused land access to be cut off, telecommunications networks to be disrupted, and the need for evacuation of residents in isolated areas to increase.
Vice President of Regional Service SOR 1 PGN for the Sumatra Region, Ris Haryono, in an official statement in Jakarta on Wednesday, said that the use of the sea route was chosen because land access was still impassable by vehicles, while the water level and river currents were still quite high at several points.
"The team's deployment was carried out after intensive coordination with relevant agencies, including port officials and local volunteers, to ensure the safety and effectiveness of operations in the field," said Ris Haryono.
He continued, additional personnel were dispatched using fishing boats from Belawan during the day, carrying relief logistics that the team could carry, which were expected to ease the burden on victims and meet the basic needs of disaster victims.
"Upon arrival at the location, the team immediately conducted a search of a number of isolated flooded areas, in collaboration with local fishermen," said Ris Haryono.
With the sea water receding, Pertamina EP Pangkalan Susu's boat was deployed to assist with the evacuation to land.
Through this collaboration, Ris Haryono said the rescue process was faster and more coordinated, so that the team succeeded in evacuating 35 people consisting of workers and members of the public.
