Earthquake Disrupts Residents’ Future

An earthquake has caused severe damage in the zone of Cugenang, Cianjur regency, West Java. Farmers are confused as their fertile agricultural land is now buried in masses of earth from a landslide.

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO

Police officers help residents evacuate goods from houses damaged by the earthquake in Cijedil Village, Cugenang District, Cianjur Regency, West Java, Tuesday (22/11/2022).

A 1,500-square meter paddy field owned by Rojudin, 73, in Cugenang has been destroyed. His paddy, ready for harvesting, has been devastated by the disaster. The 5.6 magnitude earthquake has disrupted the lives and future of local residents.

“In a year we can harvest twice to three times. My father and older brother used to grow crops there. Now everything is overwhelmed by landslides and may be hard to cultivate again,” Rojudin lamented on Tuesday (22/11/2022).

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Despite the loss of livelihood due to the landslide, Rojudin still feels grateful. His wife Ayi Maryam, 55, and daughter Irma, 14, are safe and treated in the emergency tent of the Sayang Regional General Hospital in Cianjur.

When the earthquake jolted, Rojudin performed his religious duty in a house of prayer near his home. His child and wife were at home. However, in less than 10 seconds, the calamity set in. The earthquake leveled his house and nearby buildings.

“I’m grateful that they remain alive although my wife has got 17 stitches on her head and my child has bruises,” said Rojudin.

Vulnerable

Looking at his child and wife, Rojudin veils his anxiety. His source of living is now level with the ground. He is only capable of crop planting so he will find it difficult to live without his field. “If we are asked to move, we have no choice. But as the paddy field is damaged, I’m confused about what job I’m going to do,” he said softly.

As the zone hardest hit by the earthquake, Cugenang and its vicinity have long become a magnet for people wishing to make a living. The majority of local people work as paddy and vegetable farmers.

Endowed with fertile volcanic soil, Cugenang rice is known as one of the best products in Cianjur. Abound in water springs flowing from steep banks and valleys, farmers’ vegetable harvests amply supply the central market stocks of Jakarta and Bandung.

If we are asked to move, we have no choice. But as the paddy field is damaged, I’m confused about what job I’m going to do.

As a place of living, residents are offered a beautiful panorama typical of a rural area. T Bachtiar in the book Toponimi, Susur Galur Nama Tempat di Jawa Barat (Toponymy, Genealogy of Names of Places in West Java) shows that Cugenang is surrounded by several hills as the remaining parts of old, inactive volcanoes. Two of them are Pasir Beser and Pasir Balukbuk.

Not yet included in the Sundanese dictionary, the name Cugenang is believed to arise from the beautiful colors of the two hills. Yet the special feature is prone to conceal a time bomb. An agricultural zone, Cugenang’s forest is beginning to lose large trees due to erosion. Some of its residents are not aware of its steep slopes or areas liable to disaster.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Ela (58, right) sits in front of her house which collapsed due to the earthquake in Longkewang Village, Gasol Village, Cugenang, Cianjur Regency, West Java, Tuesday (22/11/2022).

In fact, data from the Geological Agency (GA) indicate that landslides are apt to hit the region. One of the causes is that the zone is composed of quaternary deposits that are soft, loose and unconsolidated. Cugenang is also vulnerable to earthquakes. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency describes Cianjur, along with Sukabumi, Purwakarta, Lembang and Bandung, as a complex tectonic zone.

There are several active earthquake lanes in the zone, one of which is the Cimandiri fault. This fault extends from Pelabuhan Ratu bay, Sukabumi regency, to Padalarang in West Bandung. Cugenang is on the fault lane. The Cimandiri fault is very active. Its movement is suspected of having triggered destructive tremors in the Sukabumi-Cianjur zone. In 1844 and 1910, strong earthquakes caused havoc in Cianjur.

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There was an earthquake on 21 Jan. 1912. Also a 5.4-magnitude earthquake on 2 Nov. 1968 and a 5-magnitude earthquake on 10 Feb. 1982, which caused considerable damage and claimed human lives. On 12 July 2000, a 5.1-magnitude earthquake damaged at least 1,900 houses.

The 5.6-magnitude earthquake on Monday afternoon sparked landslides. Besides demolishing 22,198 houses, the landslides also buried part of Cugenang. Until Tuesday afternoon, the tremors had killed 268 people and 151 others were not yet found. Cugenang saw the arrival of many state officials, including President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. Aid was distributed to impacted residents, although not all of them have been rationed.

Anxiety

One local resident, Ade Supandi, 47, came to visit on Tuesday evening (22/11). He and his children could not eat properly. They had only consumed instant noodles and slept in a tent after their house was leveled to the ground.

“I’m sad to see our children and old parents forced to stay in a tent temporarily. Many people haven’t got aid. We hope this will be over soon,” said Ade.

Apart from hoping for aid, Ade also wants the government to help rebuild the ruined houses without forcing them to move to other areas. “We want to remain in our houses, our village. Our life is here, we have no idea what to do if we have to leave,” he added.

Many people haven’t got aid. We hope this will be over soon.

If he moves, Ade is worried about leaving the fertile land in Cugenang. Growing vegetables is his only skill. He is anxious lest his life will be even harder if he has to start his life without farming. Moreover, the trauma and impact of the earthquake is difficult to dispel.

In less than 10 seconds, the earthquake reversed everything. As one of the best food producers of Cianjur, Cugenang residents are now in dire need of food supply for survival after the catastrophe. The earthquake has devastated everything.

This article was translated by Aris Prawira.