The disaster-prone area map (ZRB) is a guideline for spatial use based on disaster vulnerability. At present, the map is used as a reference for revising the city spatial plan (RTRW) of Palu city and its surroundings.
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JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The drawing of a disaster-prone area map for Palu and its surrounding areas in Central Sulawesi has ignored the results of an earthquake and soil liquefaction vulnerability survey conducted by the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).
The disaster-prone area map (ZRB) is a guideline for spatial use based on disaster vulnerability. At present, the map is used as a reference for revising the city spatial plan (RTRW) of Palu city and its surroundings. The determination of the spatial area is based on disaster vulnerability also determines mitigation measures in the area.
The map was designed by five ministries and institutions, namely the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), the Agrarian and Spatial Planning Ministry/ National Land Agency, the Public Works and Housing Ministry, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry and BMKG.
Kompas’ investigation found that the ZRB map had been approved by the Vice Presidential Office on Dec. 11, 2018 but it was not signed by the BMKG. The agency refused to sign it because its survey potential earthquake vulnerabilities and soil liquefaction was ignored.
The BMKG ‘s deputy for geophysics, M. Sadly, who was present when the agreement was made, representing the head of BMKG, Dwikorita Karnawati, did not sign the ZRB map because it did not include a survey of earthquake vulnerability and faction conducted by the agency. Sadly just initialed and gave notes to the map: "ZRB 1 according to BMKG is ZRB 3".
"Yes (I initialized it) because at that time the head of the BMKG could not attend," said Sadly, when confirmed by Kompas, Sunday (26/2/2020).
The brighter the color of the zone, the lower the vulnerability.
On the ZRB map, disaster vulnerability is divided into four segments: Zone 4 or prohibited zones in red, Zone 3 or restricted (orange), Zone 2 or conditional (yellow), Zone 1 or development (light yellow). The brighter the color of the zone, the lower the vulnerability.
Signatories to the ZRB map agreement Palu and its surroundings were representatives of the public housing ministry, the energy and mineral resources minister, the National Development Planning Minister, the agrarian minister/ head of BPN, the head of BNPB Willem Rampangilei, and Central Sulawesi Governor Longki Djanggola.
On the 1: 100,000 scale map, some areas in Palu City have different levels of vulnerability from those on the BMKG potential map because the results of the earthquake vulnerability and liquefaction survey conducted by the BMKG was not included.
As noted by the BMKG, Zone 1 or the development zone on the ZRB Map should be Zone 3 (restricted). The ZRB map, which was not signed by the BMKG, was contained in the Central Sulawesi Province Post-Disaster Master Plan for Recovery and Reconstruction.
Prevent repeating mistakes
Based on Kompas’ findings, the ZRB map is also displayed in several locations in Palu, such as the public works and spatial planning offices in Central Sulawesi. In fact, the map is also included on the warning board so that residents do not inhabit the soil liquefaction prone area in Balaroa.
When asked about the ZRB map that was not signed by BMKG, Dwikorita Karnawati was surprised. Dwikorita admitted the map had not been signed because the ZRB map ignored the potential for earthquake and the soil liquefaction.
According to him, the potential for further earthquakes could be more devastating for the densely populated area of Palu city. The source of the earthquake is estimated to come from the lower segment of the Palu-Koro Fault. This means that the source of the earthquake is closer to the city than the 7.4-magnitude earthquake in September 2018, which was centered in Sirenja, North Donggala.
It was proven, right, everything was destroyed by the earthquake in 2018.
Dwikorita did not want mistakes to be repeated in Palu. In the 1980s, Indonesian geologist JA Katili suggested that Palu was not worthy of being a capital city. Palu is very vulnerable to disasters because it is located in one of the most active fault systems, Palu-Koro. However, recommendations were ignored. "It was proven, right, everything was destroyed by the earthquake in 2018. Do we want to repeat it again?" he said.
During a BMKG national coordination meeting in July 2019, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo asked his staff and the regional government to have the courage to convey the truth about disaster-prone zones, especially for development. Do not cover up the threat of disaster so that mistakes in development are not repeated in the future.
Spatial Planning Director General Abdul Kamarzuki said the map was the result of a combination of disaster maps belonging to all ministries and institutions.
All aspects and surveys have been carefully considered.
The head of the ZRB map drawing team and the deputy for regional development at Bappenas, Rudy Soeprihadi Prawiradinata, said discussion about of the map had been concluded. All aspects and surveys have been carefully considered.
The mayor of Palu, Hidayat, said he did not know about the exclusion of BMKG recommendations on the ZRB map. Local government was not involved in making the map. It only signed the map at the Central Sulawesi governor\'s office after the map was approved. (ILO/KEL/BKY/VDL)