Hundreds Of Ponorogo Tumpuk Village Residents Affected By Cracked Land Are Evacuated

Residents stand near the location of the cracked and subsidence ground around the residential area of ​​Tumpuk Village, Sawoo sub-district, Ponorogo, Monday (27/2/2023) (ANTARA/HO - SDP)

PONOROGO - Hundreds of residents in Tumpuk Village, Sawoo District, Ponorogo Regency, East Java had to be evacuated to a safer place after fissures appeared at a number of points on a fairly large scale around the settlement.

"There have been cracks in the ground since February 14. But now the condition is getting worse as the heavy rains have flushed this area in the last few days," said the Head of Emergency and Logistics BPBD Ponorogo Regency, Surono, reported by ANTARA, Monday, February 27.

Residents who took refuge were temporarily accommodated at the Stacked Village Hall. Some are staying at the homes of relatives or close relatives whose homes are in a safe zone.

There were no casualties. However, dozens of houses were reported damaged as the cracks in the ground widened and caused the foundation structures of residents' houses to shift.

The location of the settlements around the hilly area makes the cracks bigger and bigger, so they are considered dangerous to local residents.

"There are dozens of cracks, ranging in width from 10 centimeters to 30 centimeters, some of which have also sunk," said Surono.

Currently, BPBD Ponorogo has deployed volunteers and the TRC is assisted by the Social Service to help meet the needs of the refugees.

In addition, the Sawoo Community Health Center has also examined the health of the refugees, which also consist of children, the elderly, and pregnant women.

"We have coordinated with the Social Service in setting up a public kitchen. Also from the Health Office, there are nurses and doctors," he said.

While waiting for the weather to clear and deemed possible, the BPBD together with the village government has closed the access road to the affected settlements to anticipate the subsequent movement of land which endangers the residents.

"Extreme weather, always be vigilant, the people in the evacuation camps are patient waiting for further news regarding the crack study from PVMBG," he said.