PORTALJABAR, DISTRICT. GARUT - Natural disasters in the form of landslides hit three sub-districts, namely Karangtengah, Banjarwangi and Kersamanah sub-districts. One of them even occurred accompanied by the incident of a tree falling onto a house in Karangtengah District, Garut Regency (4/1/2024).

As confirmed by the Head of Karangtengah Subdistrict, Dudi Suryadi, landslides in his area occurred at two different points. The first point is on Jalan Cintamanik Village, Cileles-Jambudipa Village, and the second point is in Nyalindung Village, Caringin Village. This incident was caused by heavy rain which threatened residents' houses and the collapse of retaining walls and gabions on Jalan Cintamanik Village, which were built using Village Funds (DD) for the 2023 fiscal year.

Material losses due to this landslide were estimated at IDR 190 million due to the damage to the Land Retaining Wall (TPT) and gabions on Jalan Cintamanik Village, but fortunately there were no casualties.

In another location, in Cikatang Village, Sindanggalih Village, a tree fell on a house belonging to a resident named Aan. This incident was also triggered by heavy rain which caused the Citameng irrigation to overflow. As a result, residents' kitchens were damaged with losses estimated at around IDR 10 million.

Subdistrict Head Dudi Suryadi said several steps had been taken, including closing the road to four-wheeled vehicles on Jalan Cintamanik Village, installing tarpaulins at the landslide location in Nyalindung Village to reduce the risk of additional landslides, as well as emptying houses and providing logistical assistance to affected families sourced from barns. Karangtengah District social.

Elsewhere, precisely in Banjarwangi District, a landslide occurred on Jalan Raya Banjarwangi, precisely in Burujul Village, Banjarwangi Village. Based on reports from the Banjarwangi District, the landslide occurred at around 18.30, Saturday (06/01/2024).

Elements of the local District Leadership Forum (Forkopimcam) were assisted by related agencies to evacuate and clean up landslide material covering the road with the help of heavy equipment. As of Sunday afternoon (01/07/2024), at exactly 13.00 WIB, the evacuation had been completed and was proceeding safely, orderly and smoothly.

Meanwhile, based on information from the Head of Kersamanah District, Muhammad Topan Sandi, a landslide occurred in Panamur Village, Kersamanah Village, Kersana District, and occurred in the early hours of Sunday (07/01/2024) or around 02.00 WIB.

The locations affected by the landslide disaster in Kersamanah District are the village axis road and TPT, with a width of 4 meters, a height of 4 meters and a length of 75 meters.

Losses due to the disaster were estimated at IDR 150 million. Based on incoming reports, all disasters occurred due to quite high rainfall at the location of the incident, resulting in landslides in several locations.

The Garut Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) immediately jumped in to deal with fallen trees in Karangtengah District by bringing wood cutting machines and other assistance. It is hoped that these steps will ease the burden on the victims and prevent further damage while waiting for more comprehensive recovery steps from the local government. (Diskominfo Garut/Fauziah Ismi)