The project to address cracking cliffs in the area surrounding Pura\nLuhur Uluwatu in Pecatu Village, South Kuta, Badung, Bali is currently\nin the first phase of three planned phases. The project consultant has\nidentified two pressures threatening the Uluwatu cliff: rainwater runoff\nfrom above the cliff and wave strikes at its base.<\/p>\n
\u201cUluwatu is a limestone area. Limestone terrain has characteristics\nwhere it is easily dissolved by rainwater and easily damaged by\nsunlight,\u201d said Arisandi Putra, the project planning consultant for the\nUluwatu cliff stabilisation programme, on Thursday (12 March 2026).<\/p>\n
Arisandi noted that the threat from above the cliff stems from poorly\nmanaged rainwater drainage channels. According to him, water flowing\nthrough drainage systems has the potential to erode and worsen cliff\ncracking.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe main drainage flowing in this area must be properly organised,\nand its force must be dissipated. It is not possible to combine all\nchannels into one, because large water flows could split the cliff,\u201d he\nadded.<\/p>\n
Arisandi stated that cracks have been discovered at several points\nalong the Uluwatu cliff. Based on investigation results, he said, one\ncause is poor drainage management and excessive visitor activity too\nclose to the cliff edge.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the threat from below the cliff comes from continuous wave\nstrikes that gradually erode the cliff. To mitigate this impact, Badung\nRegency Government has constructed a wave-breaking structure beneath the\ncliff.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf categorised as safe against direct wave strikes on the cliff, the\nanswer is yes. The structure we built can reduce wave energy so that the\ncliff no longer receives direct pressure from waves,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Arisandi believes that the ancestors\u2019 placement of the\nsacred area at Pura Uluwatu was geologically sound. According to him,\ndirectly beneath the main mandala and madya mandala areas of Pura\nUluwatu lies a layer of hard rock that functions like an \u2018earth anchor\u2019\nsupporting the cliff structure.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is an earth anchor here. It is a type of rock, but harder than\nrocks generally found. This is what has kept Uluwatu standing firm until\nnow,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
First Phase of Uluwatu Cliff Stabilisation<\/p>\n
As previously reported, the seawall construction project in the Pura\nLuhur Uluwatu area drew public attention. Based on narratives\ncirculating on social media, the cliff stabilisation construction was\ndamaged and scattered after being struck by waves.<\/p>\n
Acting Head of Badung\u2019s Public Works and Spatial Planning Department\n(PUPR), Anak Agung Rama Putra, commented on the situation. According to\nhim, the seawall construction is currently in the first of three planned\nphases.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis activity is actually in phase one. Phase one is meant to\nestablish an inspection road and reduce and mitigate wave strikes,\u201d said\nRama Putra.<\/p>\n
Rama Putra explained that phase one of the Uluwatu cliff\nstabilisation project focuses on creating an inspection road whilst\nmitigating wave strikes. He noted that the maximum wave height that can\nbe withstood by the currently installed breakwater structure is\napproximately 4-6 metres.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince this is design and build, the design and implementation\nprocesses are running in parallel,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Rama explained that the scattered rocks visible on social media are\npart of the foundation layer of the inspection road used for mobilising\nmaterials and heavy equipment. He asserted that there is no revetment\ndamage and the cliff stabilisation project at Uluwatu continues as\nplanned.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/uluwatu-cliff-faces-dual-pressures-from-above-and-below-1773334342", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }