PVMBG: Weathering Of Rocks Is One Of The Causes Of The Sumedang Landslide

JAKARTA - The Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) stated that one of the causes of the landslide disaster that occurred in Cimanggung District, Sumedang Regency, West Java, was due to weathering of a number of rock types.

The Head of the PVMBG Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Kasbani, said that the weathering caused water to escape, so that the weathering layer of the breccia and tuff rocks became a slipping or landslide area.

"The high intensity rain has triggered ground movement," said Kasbani in a statement received in Bandung, as reported by Antara, Sunday, January 10.

In addition, according to him, the landslide area was a cliff of open land without any vegetation that had strong roots. Then the poor drainage channel became one of the factors for landslides to befall the community settlements below.

He recommended that all related parties take immediate mitigation steps because landslides could potentially occur in the area.

"We must anticipate the potential for further landslides considering the area is still prone to landslides and high rainfall," he said.

He also asked other people who live in areas that have the potential for landslides to be alert. The characteristics are such as soil movement, ground cracks, and also cracks in buildings.

"If there is an incident, immediately report to the local government and evacuate temporarily until there is direction from the local government," said Kasbani.