Trans Flores Access Reopens After Landslide Triggered by Earthquake
The Trans Flores Ende–Bajawa route at KM 4+350 was among the hardest-hit locations, according to Berton Panjaitan, Acting Head of the BNPB Data, Information and Communication Centre for Disaster Management. At that site, sandy soil and rock material nearly 30 metres high covered the entire carriageway, completely paralysing the main access linking Ende and Nagekeo regencies.
The East Nusa Tenggara National Road Implementation Agency (BPJN NTT) under the Directorate General of Highways at the Ministry of Public Works and Housing moved swiftly to clear the route. Three excavator units were deployed to the site. As a result, part of the road was reopened on the first day of handling, although initially only motorbikes could pass on a limited basis. Two days later, phased clearance began to yield results, allowing four-wheeled vehicles and larger to pass under a stop-and-go system at limited speed.
According to Berton, based on direct monitoring by the BNPB Disaster Communication Team on Thursday (20/8), the entire carriageway has now been opened and transport is returning to normal. Nevertheless, the handling is not yet fully complete because some residual landslide material is still piled on the upper cliff slopes.
The clearing of remaining material on the cliff face is continuing with a precautionary approach. This is because aftershocks that still occur frequently could at any time trigger further material collapses onto the road. This condition poses a particular challenge for technical personnel working in the field.
In line with safety procedures, heavy equipment operations must be temporarily halted whenever tremors occur. This was experienced by the team on Thursday afternoon, when a magnitude 6.0 aftershock shook the area for approximately 10 seconds. All work activities were immediately stopped to ensure personnel safety.
The landslide debris had also previously struck a fibre-optic cable route, causing disruption to communication networks in the Ende–Nagekeo corridor. However, thanks to cross-sector coordination on the ground, the telecommunications network disruption has now been gradually restored.
Following the clearance of road material and restoration of communication lines, the focus of work has now shifted to the anticipatory phase. The technical team will reinforce the cliff structure to prevent further landslides, while also mapping out infrastructure revitalisation measures to make this vital route more resilient in the future.
The reopening of the Trans Flores route is not merely about restoring land connectivity, but also about rekindling the economic and social lifeblood of local residents. Solid synergy between the central government, regional governments, and the active role of local communities forms the main foundation for weaving back together residents’ activities, reviving the pulse of the economy, and raising hopes for Flores to rise stronger after the disaster.