Batusangkar, W Sumatra: West Sumatra has prepared 3.8 hectares of land to relocate Tanah Datar district residents whose homes were severely damaged by floods or were in the red zone of Mount Marapi’s cold lava flow.
“This land is an asset of the West Sumatra government that will be handed over to residents who are affected by the floods and flash floods in Tanah Datar,” West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi said here on Tuesday.
He made the statement after reviewing the condition of the relocation site in Rambatan village, Rambatan sub-district, Tanah Datar district.
According to him, the 3.8 hectares land was previously used by the Main Plantation Seed Center (BBI) to grow secondary crops and is currently being used by the West Sumatra Horticulture and Plantation Food Crops Office.
“The BBI covers an area of around 20 hectares. Of that total area, we will use 3.8 hectares as a relocation area for disaster victims who do not have their own land for building houses,” he informed.
He said that, as per the latest data, 58 disaster-affected families will be relocated to the area.
“Supporting facilities will also be prepared for them, such as places of worship and other facilities,” he added.
According to Mahyeldi, after the land for relocation is made available, the construction of houses and facilities will be carried out under the authority of the central government.
“In principle, the land is ready and we will immediately coordinate with the central government to build houses for residents affected by this disaster,” he said.
Floods and flash floods have repeatedly ravaged several areas in Tanah Datar since December 2023.
The most severe one occurred on May 11, 2024, which caused many fatalities and damaged infrastructures, including residents’ homes.
