The research result of Gamainatek (Gadjah Mada Innovation and Technology) team from Universitas Gadjah Mada regarding landslide which happened in Pangandaran, West Java, shows the landslide happened due to natural and human factors. The team found several landslides spots by doing field study for five days.
“The landslides happened because of the combination of natural factors and human activities,” said Prof. Dwikorita Karnawati at Department of Geological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering UGM, on Friday (20/10).
According to Dwikorita, there are many steep hills with geological structure in the form of rock cracks. Those brittle slope rocks are covered by thick soil. The steep slope with the thick soil, according to Dwikorita, is predicted to have been formed by the previous landslides.
“Controlled by tuff rocks and human activities, the rivers erode the cliff and cause landslides. Many cliffs are excavated to be made house and road materials,” said Dwikorita.
Dwikorita hopes the research by Gamainatek team in Pangandaran can become an early warning system in other regions that are prone to landslides. In addition, the result of the research can produce new technologies including an advanced early warning system.
Another researcher from Gamainatek, Dr. Wahyu Wilopo, further said Pangandaran landslide was triggered by the continuous heavy rain in the area.
“Heavy rain happened since Friday (6/10) which caused the rivers to overflow, thus causing the flood in Pangandaran region,” said Wahyu.
Therefore, it requires drainage channel improvement and minimization of puddle in the slope area. In addition, monitoring after the rain is required to look for landslides signs around the area.
“The most important things are covering the rock cracks using waterproof material, reporting the case to the disaster management agency, and evacuating people during heavy rain,” he added.