Cianjur BPBD confirms route to Gunung Padang site now passable

Cianjur (ANTARA) - The Cianjur District Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) in West Java has confirmed that the main route to the Megalithic Gunung Padang Site in Cibokor Village, Cibeber Sub-district, is now normally passable in both directions, though motorists are urged to remain alert. BPBD Secretary Asep Sudrjat in Cianjur on Friday stated that the landslide material blocking the road has been successfully evacuated using one piece of heavy equipment, assisted by joint TNI/Polri personnel, volunteers, and local residents. Although the route is now open, they are asking the public, especially drivers, to be careful and vigilant to anticipate potential follow-up landslides, given that extreme weather is still occurring, particularly in the afternoon and evening. “The handling has been completed, but the road surface is still slippery due to residual mud from the landslide that has not yet been fully cleaned, so motorists passing through are asked to be extra careful and alert, especially if rain falls again,” he said. They, along with relevant agencies, are continuing to address the landslide-prone embankment by installing bamboo support poles before placing wire mesh soil retainers at the base. This includes preparing volunteers assisted by residents to advise passing motorists to be careful and alert, and to avoid travelling during heavy rain, especially in the afternoon. “With the ongoing extreme weather, we have mobilised more than 20 personnel and 360 volunteers across villages and sub-districts in Cianjur to conduct monitoring, reporting, and rapid response in the event of disasters,” he said. Meanwhile, the handling of flooding and fallen trees that affected four sub-districts—Cibeber, Cilaku, Gekbrong, and Campaka—has been completed, including assisting residents in cleaning their homes for reoccupation. “We also urge residents in several sub-districts to remain on alert and vigilant, and to evacuate immediately if heavy rain falls again at night with high intensity,” he said.