BPBD confirms Sidoarjo mud embankment is in safe condition

The Sidoarjo Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has confirmed that the Sidoarjo mud embankment is in safe condition after information circulated regarding a suspected leak in the mud pond embankment. Sidoarjo Regency BPBD Chief Executive Sabinno Mariano stated on Friday that the information about the suspected leak circulated on social media on Friday (10/7) afternoon, mentioning an overflow at the mud pond embankment in the Siring Village area, Porong District, specifically in the southern part near the former severed toll road section. According to him, the BPBD received a report regarding the information at around 1.32 p.m. and immediately deployed personnel to the location to verify field conditions at around 2.30 p.m. In addition to conducting a direct inspection, Sabinno said the BPBD also coordinated with the Sidoarjo Mud Control Centre (PPLS) to ascertain the cause of the mud material that appeared to overflow in the embankment area. The coordination results showed that the condition of the mud embankment is continuously monitored and controlled by PPLS, so no indications of leaks or damage to the embankment construction were found. The mud material seen emerging was the result of dredging activities using heavy equipment in the form of an excavator as part of embankment maintenance and reinforcement work. This activity was also carried out to increase security capacity by raising the embankment height, enabling better control of the mud volume. The BPBD stressed that the situation at the location does not indicate an emergency or a threat to the community, as all ongoing activities remain under the supervision of relevant officers. “Based on the results of our monitoring, the condition of the mud embankment in Porong is in the safe category,” Sabinno said. He explained that the addition of 1.5 metres to the embankment height is considered sufficient to control the mud volume safely.