Ground at landslide site along Trenggalek–Ponorogo remains unstable

Ponorogo, East Java — Basarnas said the soil condition at the Km 16 landslide site on the Trenggalek–Ponorogo national route, specifically in Desa Nglinggis, Kecamatan Tugu, Kabupaten Trenggalek, East Java, remains unstable and has potential for a secondary landslide. Basarnas Trenggalek Rescue Post Coordinator Bayu Prasetyo, in Trenggalek, on Wednesday said assessment results show the soil texture at the affected site resembles mud, making it prone to movement. ‘For the assessment, we deployed several personnel to the landslide area at the upper section. There are several landslide points, the largest being rock, and on the right side there is a new landslide,’ Bayu said. He noted that the lack of vegetation to hold the soil worsens slope conditions. From field observations, most of the area above the cliff is covered with grass and shrubs, resulting in relatively weak soil cohesion. In addition, the team found a new water flow path forming on the slope. When rainfall is heavy, this flow can fill with water, saturating the ground further. ‘Visually there are still large embedded rocks. They could move if rainfall is intense,’ he added. ‘Water in rice fields is being stored so it does not run off directly, preventing further soil saturation,’ he said. In the debris-clearing operation, Basarnas acts as safety officer. The team will provide recommendations on whether the process of removing material can continue or should be temporarily halted, especially if rain occurs or the potential for secondary landslides increases. ‘We ensure all personnel at the landslide site wear complete PPE. If conditions become dangerous, work will be halted temporarily,’ he said.