BNPB accelerates handling of four sinkholes in Nokilalaki, Sigi, following earthquake

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is accelerating the handling of four sinkholes formed by an earthquake in the Nokilalaki area, Sigi Regency, Central Sulawesi. BNPB Head Suharyanto stated on Saturday that the difficulty in bringing heavy equipment to the site is linked to the potential disaster threat on the mountain, which is located within the Lore Lindu National Park. He explained that the sinkholes in the area could potentially cause flash floods in Nokilalaki if not addressed promptly. According to him, the handling of the landslide area within the Lore Lindu National Park will not use heavy equipment to avoid damaging the protected zone. “There is already an agreement that the landslide on the mountain will be breached using portable water pumps,” he said. Meanwhile, Sigi Regent Moh Rizal Intjenae noted that all handling of the sinkholes will continue to prioritise the safety of the surrounding community and the environment within the Lore Lindu National Park. “This handling must be carried out carefully and indeed requires special permission because it is located in the Lore Lindu National Park area,” Rizal said. Based on data from the Sigi Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) as of 20 June, the number of damaged houses due to the earthquake disaster in the area reached 2,335 units, consisting of 1,955 lightly damaged houses, 226 moderately damaged units, and 154 heavily damaged units. The total number of victims and affected people increased to 8,586 individuals from 2,775 families in the Sigi Regency earthquake disaster, with details of 17 seriously injured, 108 lightly injured, and three residents deceased. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported a tectonic earthquake with a magnitude of 6.7 shook the Sigi, Parimo, Donggala, and Palu City areas in Central Sulawesi on Tuesday (16/6) at 10.27 WIB.