Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander General Agus Subiyanto on Wednesday (3/12/2025) clarified the incident in which rice aid was scattered on the ground after being dropped from a military helicopter delivering logistics to flood victims in North Sumatra. 

He said the helicopter could not land safely due to obstructing cables. 

“When the helicopter attempted to land, the pilot saw cables in the area and decided the logistics had to be dropped from the air,” Commander Agus told reporters at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, East Jakarta, as reported by antaranews.com

He added that the airdrop was necessary to reach isolated communities whose areas remain inaccessible by road. The TNI, he emphasized, will continue sending aid carefully to ensure supplies arrive in usable condition for affected residents.

A viral video earlier showed residents collecting rice that had spilled after its packaging broke during the air drop, reportedly in North Sumatra.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)