Landslides in Gunungkidul, BPBD prepares geotechnical tests

Head of the BPBD DIY Agustinus Ruruh Haryata. ANTARA/Luqman Hakim

GUNUNGKIDUL - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of the Yogyakarta Special Region has prepared a geoelectric test to follow up on the findings of land subsidence in Girikarto Village, Panggang District, Gunungkidul Regency.

The Head of the BPBD DIY Implementation Team, Agustinus Ruruh Haryata, said that the sinkhole found on Wednesday, January 7, had been followed up through field assessments with the Rapid Response Team (TRC) and the BPBD DIY Disaster Management Operations Center (Pusdalops).

"With the geophysics test, we can determine how deep the cavity is, then how wide it is," said Ruruh when contacted in Yogyakarta, Antara, Sunday, January 11.

According to Ruruh, the results of the geophysics test will be the basis for the BPBD in determining the next steps of anticipation, especially related to the safety of residents because the subsidence occurred inside the residents' houses.

BPBD DIY, he said, will coordinate with the Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center (BPPTKG) for the implementation of geoelectric tests at the location.

"If it really harms the community or residents who live there, yes we will make anticipations together with the BPBD of Gunungkidul Regency," he said.

The implementation of the geoelectrical test at the landslide location in Panggang is planned to be carried out in the next few weeks, along with the preparation of equipment and technical coordination across agencies.

Ruruh explained that the Gunungkidul area has geological characteristics in the form of underground rivers and cave cavities, making the area prone to landslides.

This condition, according to him, requires special technology to accurately detect the soil structure below the surface.

"Gunungkidul is typically underground, there are underground rivers and cave cavities. Well, that is what then requires high technology to detect the depth and width of what it is like," he said.

He added that the land subsidence in Girikarto was not a stand-alone event, because the area had previously experienced a similar event.

Therefore, mapping the underground structure is considered important to anticipate potential further risks and ensure the level of danger for residential areas.

"There it has often happened to sink. This needs to be ensured with technology so that the level of danger can be known," said Ruruh.