ITS Disaster Task Force monitors infrastructure after earthquake in NTT
The Disaster Task Force (Satgas) of the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) Surabaya, East Java, is monitoring the condition of vital infrastructure following the earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), including port facilities, roads and bridges.
“The impact of the earthquake in Maumere is considered significant based on the results of field reviews conducted since Monday (17/8),” said Head of the ITS Disaster Task Force, Dr Ir Mudji Irmawan MT, in a statement received in Surabaya on Thursday.
A number of vital objects have been affected, particularly the passenger terminal building at the port, which suffered structural damage due to the tremors. Meanwhile, the dock facilities at Lorens Say Port in Maumere remain sufficiently sturdy and capable of berthing large vessels.
“The stability of this dock is a crucial point, because the port currently serves as the main route for delivering logistics aid of basic necessities,” said Mudji, who is an expert in forensic engineering and investigation of building structural damage.
According to him, the condition of the dock is a primary concern because the port functions as the entry point for logistics aid to the affected areas.
The ITS team is also monitoring the condition of roads and bridges that serve as important access routes for aid distribution.
As of Thursday morning, aftershocks were still occurring in the region.
Mudji, who is also Deputy Director of PT ITS Tekno Sains, confirmed that no additional damage to building structures in Maumere has been found.
“We are making this effort to ensure the smooth distribution of aid to more isolated and affected areas,” he said.
Currently, he said, the team’s main focus is ensuring the dock remains fit for purpose to serve vessels carrying logistics aid.
The team is also continuing to hold coordination meetings and ensure the readiness of technical data on the condition of infrastructure at the port.
The ITS Disaster Task Force, consisting of a number of lecturers from the Department of Civil Engineering, Regional and Urban Planning (PWK), and the infrastructure sector, has developed a phased repair strategy, ranging from short-term to long-term.
“Accelerating the recovery of public facilities is important, because it is expected to be one of the ways to recover the local economy,” he said.
ITS is also strengthening cooperation with PT Pelindo to conduct a more in-depth assessment of port facilities. This synergy is being carried out to ensure port operations continue to run optimally amid the emergency conditions.
Mudji said his team continues to coordinate with various parties, including the Public Works (PU) Cipta Karya Agency and the PU Bina Marga Agency of NTT Province, to ensure that every recovery step is carried out in a measured and effective manner.
The ITS Disaster Task Force is expected to remain at the location for the next week to complete the inspection of the dock’s condition.
The team has also deployed personnel to conduct underwater inspections to ensure there is no damage to the dock’s foundation.
This effort was carried out after ITS raised funds and distributed aid directly to affected residents.
The team hopes that infrastructure recovery can help the community resume their activities and restore local economic conditions.
This step is also part of ITS’s contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the eighth goal on decent work and economic growth, the eleventh goal on sustainable cities and communities, and the fifteenth goal on terrestrial ecosystems.