Medan Returns to Normal Following North Sumatra Disasters: Minister

Medan: Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian said Medan is among the regions that have returned to normal following a series of disasters that affected several areas in North Sumatra.

“Several regions have returned to normal, and some are even functioning well again, including Medan,” Karnavian said during a Coordination Meeting on the Acceleration of Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in North Sumatra on Monday, as quoted by Antara on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
In addition to Medan, he noted that Binjai, Padangsidimpuan, and Asahan District have also resumed normal conditions.

Karnavian explained that areas considered to have returned to normal are assessed based on several indicators, including the effective functioning of local governments, the restoration of public services, the reopening of land transportation access, and the revival of economic activities.

However, he said a number of areas still require special attention, including Central Tapanuli District, South Tapanuli District, North Tapanuli District, Sibolga City, and Humbang Hasundutan District.

“The government will carry out normalization as quickly as possible by deploying maximum resources,” he said.

On the same occasion, Karnavian urged regional heads in disaster-affected areas to immediately complete data collection, particularly regarding residents who remain displaced.

“Do it quickly. If there are resource shortages, they can be requested so that residents who are still living in evacuation tents can be assisted to move as soon as possible to more suitable locations,” he said.

Data from the North Sumatra Provincial Disaster Emergency Response Post, as of Thursday, January 8, showed that disasters affected 18 districts and cities across the province, with estimated losses reaching Rp17.23 trillion, or more than USD1 billion.

The number of affected residents was recorded at 479,045 families, or 1,803,549 people. Meanwhile, evacuees totaled 3,371 families, or 13,378 people. Authorities also reported 126 injured individuals, 372 fatalities, and 53 people still missing.