Sukokerto River Bank Probolinggo Jebol, BPBD Duga Due to Soil Erosion

JAKARTA - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) is moving to handle the breached river embankment in Sukokerto Village, Pajarakan District, Probolinggo Regency, East Java (Jatim).

"Initial handling is carried out through direct inspection to the location to ensure emergency steps and follow-up handling plans so that the impact of flooding does not spread to residential areas," said Head of the Probolinggo Regency BPBD, Oemar Sjarief, in a statement in the local district, Monday, quoted by Antara.

BPBD Probolinggo carried out technical identification of the embankment damage, as well as coordinating with the local village and sub-district governments.

"The damage to the embankment was triggered by the entry of water flow from outside the river through holes in the embankment body. This condition causes soil erosion until the embankment eventually experiences landslides and breaks," he said.

From the results of the initial review, there were holes that became the entry point for water so that they eroded the embankment structure, so that emergency handling was carried out so that the hole did not widen.

As a first step, BPBD together with local residents carried out a temporary closure using soil materials. In addition, it also alerted personnel to help manual handling while waiting for heavy equipment to be brought to the location.

"We have sent around 20 BPBD personnel to help with manual handling in the field. For permanent handling, we have coordinated with the East Java Provincial Government so that excavators can be deployed immediately in the near future," he said.

Oemar also provided education to the public regarding the importance of maintaining the sustainability and security of river embankments and highlighting the existence of sengon trees and other hard plants that grow in the embankment area.

"Planting hard trees on the embankment is actually risky because the tree roots can create a cavity that makes it easier for water to seep in and accelerate the damage to the embankment," he said.

He appealed to the public not to build buildings on the river banks, not to plant hard trees on the embankments, and to be willing to cut down trees that could potentially endanger the safety of others.

"We will continue to monitor the handling process until the embankment is again sturdy and safe as part of efforts to mitigate hydrometeorological disasters and protect public safety," he said.