Rain Still Falling, Geological Agency Warns of Aftershocks in West Bandung
BANDUNG - The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) reminds the public to be aware of the potential for subsequent landslides in Pasirlangu Village, Cisarua District, West Bandung Regency, West Java, especially during heavy rain and long duration.
Acting Head of the Geological Agency Lana Saria explained that the land movement disaster in the form of a landslide that occurred in Pasirlangu Village on Saturday, January 24, was triggered by high rainfall that took place before and during the incident.
"The main triggering factor is the high rainfall that occurred before and during the incident, which caused an increase in pore water pressure, a strong decrease in soil shear, and a slope failure," Lana said in a statement in Jakarta, Antara, Sunday, January 25.
In addition to rain, soil movement in the region is also influenced by local geological conditions dominated by old volcanic rocks that have been weathered, steep slopes, and the presence of geological faults and faults.
Based on the Map of the Vulnerability Zone for Land Movement, the affected areas are included in the Medium Vulnerability Zone for Land Movement.
In this zone, the potential for landslides can increase, especially on slopes that have been disturbed, both naturally and as a result of human activity, especially when heavy rains last for a long time.
Cutting slope activities for settlements and road access, as well as an unoptimal surface drainage system, also increase the risk of landslides and reduce the stability of slopes in the hilly area.
"This event shows the strong relationship between steep slope morphology, weathered volcanic rocks, geological structures, and the influence of high rainfall on the occurrence of large-scale landslides," said Lana.
After the incident, the Geological Agency has dispatched an emergency response team to the disaster site. The team conducted field inspections to identify the causes of the ground movement and prepared technical recommendations for handling in the affected area of about 30 hectares.
Head of the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Hadi Wijaya said the Geological Agency's emergency response team was currently at the landslide site to conduct an on-site inspection.
"The team will conduct an inspection at the disaster site to find out the cause of the disaster," said Hadi.
The team, which consists of 10 people, consisting of five technical personnel and five non-technical personnel, will provide technical recommendations for handling land movement disasters and carry out socialization to affected communities as part of mitigation efforts if similar disasters occur again.
The affected area is a hilly area with a fairly high density of settlements and land use activities. The Geological Agency asked residents living around the landslide location to immediately evacuate to a safer place.
"People living near steep slopes are urged to increase their vigilance, especially during and after heavy rain, given the high potential for subsequent soil movement," said Lana.
In the process of handling disasters, the Geological Agency also reminds that the safety of officers in the field is the main concern.
"Handling landslides and searching for missing victims should pay attention to weather conditions and not be carried out during or after heavy rain, because this area is still potentially experiencing aftershocks that can endanger officers," he said.