Aceh roads prone to landslides

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Landslides are a constant threat on the road connecting Banda Aceh with West Aceh regency because a safety embankment that separates it from some ravines has been built in ways which disregarded the local geological nature.

Antara quoted a local mining official as saying on Saturday that a recent landslide in the area which had cut off traffic from Banda Aceh - Meulaboh was caused by both "natural factors" and "technical errors".

Mahbub Iskandar said that the landslide, which blocked a 400- meter area of Gunung Paro, could have been prevented had the embankment been made in accordance with engineering science principles.

He identified Gunung Kulu and Gunung Geurute areas as the most prone to landslides. (swe)