Public Works Minister: Land subsidence in Central Aceh slowing following water channel closure

Banda Aceh – Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo stated that land subsidence affecting a massive sinkhole in Pondok Balik village, Ketol sub-district, Central Aceh district has begun to slow following the closure of water flow from irrigation channels in the area.

“With this measure, the water channel leading to the sinkhole has started to dry out, and we hope the hole will stop expanding,” said Dody Hanggodo during a visit to Central Aceh on Monday.

The statement was made whilst Hanggodo inspected progress on managing the subsidence and massive sinkhole that had consumed local farming land in Ketol, Central Aceh.

Hanggodo explained that closing the irrigation water channel was undertaken because it represented one of the primary causes driving the progressive subsidence. Consequently, the sinkhole has begun to dry out.

Since the water channel was closed, the rate of subsidence has slowed markedly and has virtually stopped compared to the previous rate of approximately 4-5 metres per day, as measured by monitoring stakes.

“Our initial suspicion yesterday was that there was underground water seepage causing the hole to expand four metres per day. Now we can see it has reduced significantly,” he stated.

He emphasised that even if water continues to drip into the sinkhole every second, even in small quantities from drainage channels, it could still cause the hole to expand. Consequently, his ministry continues to monitor developments and implement optimal management measures.

“We hope that in the shortest time possible we can completely halt the sinkhole’s expansion to 100 per cent,” Hanggodo said.

For context, despite the water channel closure, the Public Works Ministry has also considered the water requirements of farmers cultivating land in the sinkhole area, including the construction of borehole wells and the proposal to build small reservoirs.