PPLS Anticipates Shift in Sidoarjo Mudflow to the West, Optimises Four Dredgers

The Sidoarjo Mud Control Centre (PPLS) has confirmed that the current condition of the embankments is safe and has denied rumours of large-scale overflows or leaks in the mud eruption area. However, the PPLS acknowledged there is weakening at several points of the embankment due to periodic land subsidence. PPLS Acting Head of Implementation and Planning, Fahmi Zamroni, explained that the situation is not a structural failure of the embankment, but rather a natural impact of land subsidence that occurs not only on the embankment but also in the surrounding areas. Therefore, efforts to raise the railway tracks and embankments are carried out periodically. Fahmi revealed that the PPLS’s main focus is currently controlling the direction of the mud material flow. Based on recent observations, the dominant flow of the eruption is now tending towards the west side. To anticipate this, the PPLS is engineering the flow by directing it to prepared retention ponds. To ensure the process of channelling mud to the Porong River runs optimally, the PPLS has placed at least four dredging vessels on standby. This fleet is divided into two main retention pond zones, namely pond 42 on the north/east side and pond 25 on the south side. Regarding the ongoing budget optimisation and efficiency policy, Fahmi did not deny that it has somewhat influenced the volume of mud disposal. However, he assured that the PPLS’s commitment and responsibility in controlling the mud overflow will not diminish. Responding to reports that the mud level is now almost equal to the top of the embankment, the PPLS stated it is preparing several strategic measures. Several in-depth studies are being conducted to recalculate the real current capacity of the retention ponds. Fahmi added that in the future, there may be several studies related to calculating the retention capacity and the real current conditions, and that the embankment may be reinforced at several points.