Eid Homecoming, Extreme Weather at Merak-Bakauheni Crossing Anticipated

Extreme weather has clouded the homecoming flow at the crossing from Merak Harbor to Bakauheni. Anticipation is prepared.

KOMPAS/INSAN ALFAJRI

The atmosphere at Merak Harbor, Banten, Tuesday (26/3/2024).

CILEGON, KOMPAS – Extreme weather is the main challenge for the crossing from Merak Harbor to Bakauheni Harbor during the 2024 Eid homecoming flow. Early warnings are given if extreme weather occurred on the main Java-Sumatra crossing route. Travelers can postpone or cancel crossings until the weather improves. Crossing tickets will not be forfeited.

The General Manager of PT Angkutan Sungai, Danau, dan Penyeberangan (ASDP) Indonesia Ferry Branch Merak, Suharto, explained during the presentation on the Lebaran 2024 homecoming flow at the Merak Port, Banten, on Tuesday (26/3/2024), that the ships would have difficulty loading and unloading vehicles if there are high waves. The flow of vehicles will be delayed because they cannot enter the ship and cross over. Vehicles may pile up at the port.

Extreme weather has occurred three weeks ago on March 7-8, 2024. At that time, according to Suharto, only four out of seven docks could operate at Merak Harbor. The other three docks were closed due to the extreme weather.

According to Suharto, this incident serves as a lesson for ASDP and related institutions to manage the Merak-Bakauheni crossing during the 2024 Eid al-Fitr homecoming season. If extreme weather occurs during the homecoming travel rush that begins on April 6, the port has prepared various measures. Together with the police, ASDP will regulate vehicle parking if there is a closure of the dock.

Also read: Anticipate Returning Overseas with Various Modes of Transportation Options

KOMPAS/INSAN ALFAJRI

The appearance of Aat-Rusli Road in Cilegon, Banten, on Tuesday (26/3/2024). This road serves as an access for motorbike pilgrims to Pelabuhan Ciwandan, a special port for two-wheeled vehicle riders during the 2024 Eid al-Fitr pilgrimage.

Next, ASDP will communicate with toll road managers regarding the situation at the port. Then, this information will be forwarded to travelers who are driving on the toll road.

"If there is extreme weather here, we will inform you that your departure will be detained or postponed. "The ticket will not expire, it can also be refund," said Suharto.

Officials from the Banten Provincial National Road Implementation Office, the Land Transportation Management Office, representatives of PT Marga Mandalasakti who manages the Tangerang-Merak toll road, and the Director of Traffic from the Banten Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Leganek Mawardi, were also present at the event.

Head of the Merak Maritime Meteorological Station Data and Information Services Working Group, Tatang Rusmana, said that bad weather at Merak Harbor usually occurs at intervals of 20 minutes to one hour. This condition occurs due to the transition from the rainy season to the dry season. The extreme weather is predicted to subside in early April 2024 (kompas.id, 18/3/2024).

Maintenance and Project Manager of PT Marga Mandalasakti, Slamet Adriadi, explained that extreme weather can also have an impact on traffic flow on toll roads. The West Cilegon to East Cilegon segments are at risk of flooding. Pumps and emergency response teams are prepared to anticipate the flood.

"In that particular segment, it is not actually a regular flood, but a flood with a five-year cycle that occurred last year. Nevertheless, pumps and emergency response teams are still prepared," he explained.

Extreme weather can also have an impact on traffic flow on national roads in the area, with 12 flood-prone points and 10 landslide-prone points. Some of the flood-prone areas include the Cikande-Rangkasbitung section, Merak-Cilegon, and Serang-Pandeglang. Meanwhile, some of the landslide-prone areas include several access roads to the Merak Toll Road, such as SP Labuhan-Saketi Road and Labuan-Cibaliung Road.

To anticipate its impact, the Head of the Banten Province National Road Implementation Agency, Wahyu Supriyo Winurseto explained that eight posts will be set up along the national roads in Banten Province. Each post will be equipped with heavy equipment that can be used in case of a disaster.

KOMPAS/INSAN ALFAJRI

The Head of the National Road Implementation Office, Wahyu Supriyo Winurseto (second from the right), and the Mayor of Cilegon, Banten, Helldy Agustian (third from the right), inspected the repair of Aat Rusli Street in Cilegon on Tuesday (26/3/2024).

Looking back at previous Lebaran homecoming trips, floods at several points were not significantly hindering the flow of homecoming travelers. "If the rain is not too extreme, the puddles can recede within 15-20 minutes. Floods will disrupt the flow if heavy rain occurs," said Wahyu.

On Monday afternoon, Wahyu and the team visited the repair work on Aat-Rusli Road, which is the Southern Ring Road of the City of Cilegon. This road serves as an access point for motorbike riders heading to Ciwandan Port, a special port for owners of two-wheeled vehicles to cross to Sumatra during the Lebaran holiday period.

According to him, the road was initially damaged due to frequent use by large vehicles. The government repaired the 4.74-kilometer long damaged road.

Cilegon Mayor Helldy Agustian, who also carried out the inspection, added that the roads that have been repaired will be equipped with lighting. The hope is that travelers using motorbikes will be safer and more comfortable when crossing. Also read: There is still a chance to get a homecoming ticket