BNPB: Sea Wall Collapse Leads to Damage to Residents' Homes in East Seram

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has stated that the destruction of a sea wall infrastructure has exacerbated the impact of waves, damaging dozens of residents’ homes in East Seram Regency, Maluku.

“The damage to the sea wall has allowed tidal waves to strike the walls of residents’ houses, causing damage,” said the Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Centre, Abdul Muhari, in Jakarta on Friday.

He explained that the incident, which occurred in the Aruan Gaur Administrative Area, Siritaun Wida Timur District, East Seram, demonstrates the vulnerability of coastal areas when hit by high waves.

The BNPB Operations Control Centre (Pusdalops) received reports that before hitting the walls of residents’ homes, large waves first demolished a 110-metre concrete sea wall along the local village coastline.

From these reports, BNPB Pusdalops noted that four houses sustained moderate damage, while another 15 houses experienced light damage.

To date, the threat of further abrasion continues to loom over the area, prompting local residents to work together to independently construct temporary wave barriers using wooden planks.

“Tidal waves and abrasion are still occurring. Some residents have evacuated to the homes of relatives when the tide rises. Meanwhile, residents are independently building temporary wave barriers,” said Abdul.