Surabaya City Government Ensures Gas-Smelling Fertilizer In Central Rungkut Is Safe

A burst of gas that appears in the Central Rungkut River, Surabaya City. BETWEEN THE ANTARA/HO-Surabaya City Government

SURABAYA - Surabaya City Government (Pemkot) ensures that the gas-smelling burst phenomenon that appears in the river in the Central Rungkut Village, Gunung Anyar District is safe and does not endanger residents.

Head of the Surabaya City Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Irvan Widyanto, explained that based on the results of the initial examination, the burst contained methane gas (CH4) but was still safe.

"The results of the temporary measurement by a team from the State Gas Company (PGN), the East Java Energy and Mineral Resources Service, and the Sepuluh November Institute of Technology (ITS) show no indications of danger," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, October 17.

He said the bursts in the Central Rungkut river did not emit mud or water. Therefore, residents are asked to remain calm and do not need to panic about the incident.

"This burst only emits a kind of air, gas. And that has also been measured by friends that the gas is still safe," he said.

He understands the concern of residents who panicked because they thought the phenomenon was similar to the mud incident in Sidoarjo but the conditions on the ground are currently under control and continue to be monitored.

"Indeed, we understand the panic of the residents and I beg (the residents to remain calm) we will continue to update this (cause) why and so on," he said.

Regarding further steps, Irvan said that the Surabaya BPBD would coordinate with ITS, PGN, as well as the Water Resources and Highways Service (DSDABM) to conduct a more in-depth examination.

"We are waiting for friends from ITS and friends from PGN and others. We will try to check again to make sure, after that we will be together with DSDABM friends, we will try to get down (to save) and we try to look into it," said Irvan.

As part of mitigation efforts, the Surabaya BPBD has created a perimeter so that residents do not approach the burst point.

In addition, CCTV belonging to the city government, which is located around the location, will be directed to monitor the phenomenon according to the instructions of the Mayor of Surabaya, Eri Cahyadi.

"We are setting up a perimeter for a while, so that no residents come closer. Then the city government CCTV, later we will direct them here (the burst point) at the direction of the mayor," he said.