Government Targets Emergency Handling In Sukabumi To Be Completed In Two Weeks

JAKARTA - The government through the Ministry of Public Works (PU), Diana Kusumastuti, is targeting emergency response handling in Sukabumi, West Java, to be completed within two weeks.

"Meanwhile, emergency handling is expected to be completed in two weeks. However, for permanent repairs, it will certainly take longer because there must be planning, technical pictures, auctions, and so on. But, for the time being, all road-related problems, rivers, drinking water, and sanitation have been handled," said Deputy Minister of Public Works Diana in a statement quoted by ANTARA, Sunday, December 8, 2024.

Diana said that the mobilization of heavy equipment had been carried out by the DKI Jakarta-West Java National Road Implementation Center (BBPJN) of the Ministry of Public Works, by deploying 15 heavy equipment at handling points.

The heavy equipment consists of wheel loaders (1 unit), excavators (4 units), dump trucks (3 units), pick-ups (1 unit), mini excavators (2 units), backhoe loads (2 units), and self loaders (2 units), and involves about 35 labor-intensive people working along 92 km of affected locations.

"For permanent handling, we have carried out calculations. Currently, our focus is on emergency handling first, such as opening access to logistics distribution, including fuel. We also urge road users who can already be used to be careful, because the road is still slippery after the rain," Diana added.

In addition to handling roads and rivers, Diana emphasized the importance of meeting the needs of drinking water and sanitation for affected residents. The West Java Regional Settlement Infrastructure Center Emergency Response Task Force (BPPW), Directorate General of Human Settlements of the Ministry of Public Works, has conducted an assessment of the needs of facilities and infrastructure (sarpras) since December 4, 2024.

Some of the sarpras that have been provided include 3 portable toilet units, 2 general hydrant units with a capacity of 2,000 liters, 1 septic tank biority with a capacity of 1,000 liters, and 2 units of tents measuring 4x3.25 meters and 2 units of 6x12 meters tent.

In addition, 100 PVC pipes measuring 8 inches along 504 meters have been sent to repair water distribution networks that were cut off due to the disaster and were not operating for 3 days.

Diana also revealed that the Cipalabuhan River experienced silting that could potentially cause flooding. Therefore, the Citarum River Basin Center (BBWS) of the Directorate General of Water Resources of the Ministry of Public Works has dredged sediment.

"If it is not dredged, when it rains heavily, there could be another flood. Given the intense weather predictions, we must anticipate that the river does not overflow," Diana said.

Currently, BBWS Citarum has deployed 1 excavator unit and dump truck for sediment dredging in the 200-meter-long Cipalabuh River, as well as geobag installation on a 100-meter-long critical cliff to prevent river overflow.

In addition, 1 unit of mini excavator and alkon pump has been deployed to clean up the Puskesmas at Pelabuhan Ratu and restore the flow of the Ciracas River, a tributary of the Cipalabuhan River.

Provincial and district governments will immediately proceed with emergency handling of other rivers once road access can be passed.