DUE to heavy rain, landslides hit two locations in Pekalongan Regency, Central Java, namely on Jalan Raya Doro-Petungkriyono and Jalan Raya Kajen-Kandangserang, as a result the roads were covered with dirt and rocks and traffic in the area was blocked.
According to Indonesian Media Monitoring, as of Sunday (3/11) evening, traffic on Jalan Raya Doro-Petungkriyono could not yet be passed by vehicles, because a 5 meter high hill in Mesoyi Village, Talun District, Pekalongan Regency collapsed, blocking the roads in the two sub-districts.
Dozens of joint officers, assisted by local residents, have been working together since the afternoon to clean up landslides of land and rocks, but due to the large amount of material blocking the road and the dark weather, the work was finally stopped.
“Tomorrow we will continue by bringing in heavy equipment to clean up the landslide,” said Pekalongan Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Daily Chief Executive Budi Rahardjo.
Previously, landslides also occurred on the Kajen-Kandangserang Highway section, continued Budi Rahardjo, but they were immediately resolved so that the highway covered in dirt and rocks could be reopened until vehicles in both directions returned to normal.
For the landslide on the Doro-Petungkriyono section, said Budi Rahardjo, it wasn’t just soil and rocks, a number of trees also fell, making the clean-up process quite difficult, especially as rain was still falling at the location.
According to Budi Rahardjo, the joint team of TNI Polri, PMI, SAR Bumi Santri, Bagana, LPBI NU, sub-districts and local communities, since afternoon have been working together to deal with the landslide, but because large rocks blocked the road quite a lot so it couldn’t be completed. .
Before the landslide hit this area, said Budi Rahardjo, heavy rain poured for more than two hours, so that the cliffs of the hills on the road section were not strong enough to withstand the onslaught of water until finally the falling material, including trees on the hills, fell, covering the road below.
“We ask residents on the hillsides to remain alert for landslides, because the intensity of the rain is quite high until early next year,” he added. (N-2)
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**Interview with Dr. Aulia Prabowo, Disaster Management Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Prabowo. We’re discussing the recent landslides in Pekalongan Regency and the pressing need for disaster-safe schools in the area. Can you provide some background on these events?
**Dr. Prabowo:** Thank you for having me. The recent heavy rains in Pekalongan have indeed led to significant landslides that have obstructed major roads. It’s not an isolated incident; this area is prone to various natural disasters like floods and droughts, causing both material and immaterial losses to the community.
**Editor:** That’s concerning. In light of these repeated disasters, what is your perspective on the development of disaster-safe schools in the region?
**Dr. Prabowo:** I believe disaster-safe schools are essential, especially in areas vulnerable to natural calamities. Such schools should be designed and constructed with disaster resilience in mind—this includes proper infrastructure, safe evacuation routes, and training for both students and staff on disaster preparedness.
**Editor:** What specific measures do you think should be implemented in these disaster-safe schools?
**Dr. Prabowo:** Schools can incorporate features like reinforced buildings that can withstand landslides and floods, designated assembly areas, and regular training drills. They should also engage with the local community to strengthen overall preparedness and response strategies.
**Editor:** There have been community efforts working on the cleanup after the recent landslides. How important is community involvement in disaster management?
**Dr. Prabowo:** Community involvement is crucial. Local residents have firsthand knowledge of the terrain and potential risks. When communities are empowered and work in cooperation with authorities, it enhances the effectiveness of disaster response and recovery efforts.
**Editor:** what message do you have for policymakers regarding disaster prevention strategies in Pekalongan?
**Dr. Prabowo:** It’s imperative that policymakers prioritize disaster risk reduction. They need to invest in engineering solutions, community education, and infrastructures such as disaster-safe schools, which can serve as vital hubs during emergencies. Proactive measures are always more cost-effective than reactive ones.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Prabowo, for your insights. Your expertise is invaluable as we continue to address these ongoing challenges in Pekalongan.
**Dr. Prabowo:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this important topic.
