BPBD Assessment of the Occurrence of Mud Spills in Cirebon

JAKARTA - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) conducted an assessment of the mud eruption event that appeared in Cipanas Village, Cirebon since Wednesday, December 17.

Head of Emergency and Logistics BPBD Cirebon Regency Hadi Eko said the assessment was carried out to map the impact, potential risks, and initial handling needs at the scene.

"BPBD went directly to the field to conduct assessments and initial handling of the mud eruption reported by residents," he said in Cirebon, Friday, quoted by Antara.

He explained that the mud eruption phenomenon occurs during the rainy season, while in the dry season no eruption activity is observed.

From the results of the interim assessment, he said, the mud eruption caused a sulfur smell that was quite pungent with a radius of around 100 to 200 meters, even reportedly reaching a distance of 300 meters.

He said the blast formed a basin resembling a pool with a width of about eight meters and a length of approximately 12 meters.

The Cirebon Regency BPBD has coordinated with the local village government to ensure that the condition and activities of residents around the location remain safe.

"Coordination is also carried out with a number of related services to determine the next steps in handling according to their respective authorities," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of Cipanas Village, Dukupuntang District, Maman Sudirman confirmed the existence of this phenomenon and stated that the crater had been known to residents for a long time.

In the 1960s, he said, the area at the location was used for industrial purposes.

Maman added that this phenomenon had occurred in 2021 and became a public concern after going viral because it was covered by a number of national media.

He emphasized that the phenomenon was not a flammable gas blast, even though it smelled bad.

He added that local residents are more familiar with the phenomenon as a crater, with the smell of sulfur most noticeable in the morning and afternoon.

"If the gas catches fire, it will light up. This is not, it will die if it is exposed to fire," he said.