More areas in Banten prone to landslides
JAKARTA (JP): A team of geologist from the Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University warned that major landslides could recur in Cipanas district, Banten province.
"The team conducted field observations in Cipanas district from Feb. 20 to 23 and managed to identify several areas that are prone to landslide," said Dwikorita Karnawati, a member of the team in a statement on Tuesday.
"We've alerted the local administration."
Cipanas district was the hardest-hit area in a recent wave of landslides and flooding which hit four regencies in Banten province on from Feb. 8 to 19.
Cipanas in Lebak province straddles the border between newly established Banten province and West Java.
The four regencies which were hit by the natural disaster in Bantem -- Lebak, Pandeglang, Serang and Tangerang -- is home to 142,881 residents or 36,737 families living in 209 villages in 49 districts.
The team divided areas in Cipanas district into five zones that indicate the extent of ground activity hazards that can lead to landslide.
The first zone, or the highest alert level is in the hamlets of Lebakpari 1, Lebakpari 2, Gunungjulang, Lebaksampai, Kosla, Ciladaeun and Kampung Muhara.
Lebakpari villages are approximately 10 kilometers away from Kampung Muhara, or about half an hour's walk.
"Most of these villages are still occupied...and actually this zone and also the second one should be free from housing," Dwikorita said.
The second zone, with a high danger level indicated by the steep slopes of 45 degrees is in the southern and eastern part of Cipanas.
The third zone, with a moderate alert level is located at the top of the southern and eastern hills of Cipanasa.
"People may reside in this area but we suggest that houses be made of light materials such as bamboo or wood, as well as a proper drainage system to deal with water during the rainy season," Dwikorita said, adding that the ground is also safe for farming activities.
The fourth zone is in the slope of hills in the northern and western area of Cipanas.
"The fifth zone is considered to be safe ground located on the flat soil in the western and eastern part of Cipanas but it has to be planted with more trees," she explained, adding that this zone is an option for refugees just in case a landslide hits the district.
The team has warned the local administration and residents by urging them to carefully observe the fragile slopes and symptoms of landslide such as falling trees or cracks in the ground.
Cipanas district is a hilly area with an altitude of between 120 meters and 1,300 meters above sea level.
The largest landslides hit two gold mine compounds in Kampung Cisampai and Kampung Cisoka of Cipanas district on Feb. 8, following a week of constant rain in the area.
The landslide in the gold mine area measures around 30 meters wide with a total area of collapsed soil of 2.5 hectares.
"Therefore people must be alert if a heavy downpour takes place for several consecutive days because landslides can occur any time," Dwikorita said. (edt)